Rashford and Lingard or Mata and Herrera? How Man Utd should line-up against Crystal Palace

MANCHESTER UNITED get their Premier League campaign back on track this weekend when they welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford.

Here, SunSport's Phil Thomas and Tom Roddy which XI Jose Mourinho should start at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Phil Thomas' view

WHILE the queue grows to pass judgement on what United must do to get the consistency they have lacked all term, the fingers have pointed at a host of reasons.

Paul Pogba’s one-decent-game-in-three form, Romelu Lukaku’s total lack of it, Marcus Rashford not being used in the right areas.

Yet one guy appears to have slipped under the radar. One guy has rarely been highlighted. That man is Jesse Lingard, and few are as red-hot right now.

Admittedly his return to his best has come for club, rather than country, with a stunning goal against the USA, and match-turning appearance from the bench against Croatia.

But now Lingard is back to the level which made him so key the previous season, he HAS to start against Palace on Saturday.

Last term eight of his 13 United goals came in a ten-game spell, so don’t be surprised if this is the start of another decent run.

He also gives them the X-factor missing so far, and not many others have suggested they are likely to step up.

Yes, of course Pogba’s return will be important, just as a more solid display from a leaking backline is vital.

But in Lingard, they have a man back to his best, a man who can produce something from nothing, and a man who could ease the pressure on Jose Mourinho a little more.

He could certainly do with it.

Tom Roddy's view

PATIENCE has been the order of the day at Old Trafford lately – and that’s exactly what will be needed against a beleaguered Crystal Palace.

Six defeats in their last seven games will see Roy Hodgson’s side travel to the north-west intending to frustrate United and catch them on the counter.

Jose Mourinho’s men will need to bide their time and focus on set-pieces – which is why Juan Mata must start along with Marouane Fellaini and Romelu Lukaku.

A combination of the three provides Mourinho with a physically imposing side which will be given that much-needed quality service from the Spaniard’s lethal left boot.

Assuming Lukaku has recovered from a hamstring strain, it will be an opportunity for the big Belgian to reignite his season after a much-needed break.

The Eagles have failed to keep a clean sheet since mid-September and that can provide the perfect platform for Lukaku to end his 10-game goal drought for United.

But the striker must resist getting frustrated.

Hodgson’s team has tended to compete in the first-half of games before wilting in the second, with 12 of their last 13 goals conceded coming after the break.

That could see Mourinho look to the bench late on if the score is still goalless. Having a fresh Marcus Rashford could be key if Mourinho has to turn to Plan B.

Hodgson will, however, have his main man Wilfried Zaha back at his disposal after recovering from injury and that should see a place for Ander Herrera.

The snapping Spaniard has been Mourinho’s mauling midfielder in the past, tasked with silencing Eden Hazard. Saturday may see him unleashed again.