The Big Match Tactical View: Crystal Palace v Manchester United

Michael Cox
19 May 2016

Can Alan Pardew mastermind a victory over Manchester United?

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It's a repeat of the 1990 FA Cup final - can Palace get revenge and lift the FA Cup for the first time? Michael Cox looks at the tactical battle, while Alan Thompson provides the betting lowdown...

"If Crystal Palace can overload Valencia in the right-back zone, they should be able to get Wickham challenging Blind at the far post."

Crystal Palace v Manchester United, FA Cup final
Saturday, 17:30
Live on BBC One/BT Sport 2

Match Odds: Crystal Palace 6.05/1, Man Utd 1.784/5, The Draw 3.711/4.

Manchester United start Saturday's FA Cup final as strong favourites - but Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace will relish their status as underdogs, and will look to frustrate United with deep defending and quick counter-attacking.

Louis van Gaal, who might be picking a Manchester United side for the final time, will probably keep the majority of the XI which started Tuesday's rearranged game against Bournemouth, although his starting selections have been rather unpredictable this season.

Chris Smalling and Daley Blind have formed a solid centre-back partnership, but there's a question mark about both full-backs. Antonio Valencia has regained his place on the right despite not appearing particularly good defensively, while Cameron Borthwick-Jackson deserves to continue at left-back, but Van Gaal has a peculiar liking of Marcos Rojo, despite the Argentine's tendency to get himself into poor positions.

Michael Carrick should continue in a strict, disciplined defensive midfield role, which will allow Van Gaal to play two attack-minded players ahead of him. Wayne Rooney, who impressed in midfield during Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Bournemouth, will play the left-centre position.

The other midfielder should be either Ander Herrera, who provides the energy and mobility which often counts for a lot in scrappy FA Cup finals, or Marouane Fellaini, who would provide an aerial route to goal. Jesse Lingard is also in contention, although could also start on the right in place of Juan Mata.

United's attack is largely based around pace. Anthony Martial will play high from the left and sprint in behind, with Marcus Rashford running the channels and getting himself into positions for cut-backs from wide areas.

The nature of United's attack means Crystal Palace will surely look to defend extremely deep. Damien Delaney and Scott Dann aren't good on the turn, but are entirely comfortable sitting on the edge of the penalty area and clearing crosses.

They'll be protected by full-backs Pape Souare and Joel Ward tucking inside, while the central midfielders will also play very deep. Yohan Cabaye should be joined by either James McArthur or Mile Jedinak - the latter would bring more aerial power, which could be crucial if United start Fellaini in midfield.

Pardew is likely to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring three attacking midfielders pushing forward in support of lone striker Connor Wickham. This is where Palace will be capable of causing United problems, particularly in wide areas against the full-backs, who push high up the pitch. Wilfried Zaha will be particularly keen to perform well against his former club, while Jason Puncheon seems likely to start on the right, tucking inside without possession and driving forward into goalscoring positions.

The key man, however, might be Yannick Bolasie. Although naturally a winger, Bolasie has often been fielded in a number ten position this season, and his pace on the counter-attack would overwhelm Carrick. Wickham, the hero of Palace's semi-final victory over Watford, will probably play up against Blind rather than Smalling, testing the Dutchman physically.

Palace might also get joy with Souare pushing forward from left-back, especially as United's right-winger - Mata or Lingard - will drift inside. If they can overload Valencia in the right-back zone, they should be able to get Wickham challenging Blind at the far post.

United have the creative threats and pace in behind the opposition, but if Palace are organised defensively and cautious about moving high up the pitch, they have every chance of recording a real shock.

The Betfair Trader's View - Alan Thompson

Neither of these sides are coming into the final in the best of form, excluding the FA Cup the Eagles have only won twice since Boxing Day and United have just missed out on qualifying for the Champions League on goal difference, after registering their lowest goals tally in the Premier League era. The two sides last met just a month ago, when the Red Devils ran out 2-0 winners at Old Trafford.

After failing to finish in the top four Louis Van Gaal will be keen to do all he can to secure United’s first FA Cup since 2004. They have played well throughout the competition having to win three of their rounds away from Old Trafford, including West Ham (2-1) in a quarter final replay (something they failed to do to their ultimate cost in the league) as well as beating Everton (2-1) at Wembley in the semi-final.

Alan Pardew has steered his side to Premier League survival despite a terrible league record in 2016, in the cup though they have had no such problems, winning five out of five and like United they didn’t have the easiest of routes having to win three tough away games, Southampton (2-1), Tottenham (1-0) and Reading (2-0) before beating Watford in the semi-final (2-1).

The market has United as 1.84/5 favourites and I can’t see any value in that price at all, I wouldn’t want to put anyone off laying them at that price, it is far too short in my book.

Palace have some talented players, I accept they seem to have gone missing for a bit in the Premier League but in a big one-off game, players like Yannick Bolasie, former United winger Wilfried Zaha and Yohan Cabaye are capable of hurting anyone.

On their one and only FA Cup final appearance it was United that beat Palace in 1990, Pardew was in that side and I am sure he would love nothing more than to gain revenge as a manager. At 6.05/1 they are too big and can’t go un-backed.