Zaha’s pace against rusty Dalot is Crystal Palace’s best chance of Old Trafford win

Add as preferred source on Google

Crystal Palace travel to Old Trafford tomorrow to face a Manchester United side who will be looking for a response after their humbling at the hands of their city rivals last time out.

Palace have suffered badly for a lack of cutting edge in their attack this season and that has led Roy Hodgson to use Wilfried Zaha, his biggest attacking threat by far, through the middle at times.

But for the trip to face United, Hodgson should return Zaha to his favoured left wing position, where he could come up against Diogo Dalot, who has been passed fit to make his Premier League debut.

The Portuguese’s United career is yet to get going after the injury he arrived at Old Trafford with lingered around for longer than expected and while there is sure to be excitement about the man Jose Mourinho will hope can be the club’s long-term right back, he is bound to be rusty.

Zaha’s pace and trickery is ideal to exploit that, as well as any nervousness that might be present in a 19-year-old making his Premier League debut.

If Mourinho goes with the experience of Ashley Young or Antonio Valencia then Zaha will have the beating of either on pure pace alone.

That represents Palace’s best chance of springing a surprise on a side who generally struggle to kill teams off.