Ole Gunnar prepares patched-up Red Devils squad for Crystal Palace

Amid an injury crisis at Old Trafford, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is down to the bare bones.

Manchester United were forced into three first half substitutions due to muscle injuries during Sunday’s meeting with Liverpool, with Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard all forced off.

Marcus Rashford also played the full 90 minutes with a badly swollen ankle. The aforementioned trio will all miss Wednesday night’s trip to Crystal Palace, as United look to continue their push for a top four spot.

Rashford’s ankle injury will need to be assessed, but Solskjaer isn’t holding out much hope.

However, that quartet are far from the Norwegian’s only absentees.

Nemanja Matic is out for up to a month with the problem that saw him miss the clash with the Reds, while Anthony Martial remains sidelined with the groin injury picked up against Paris Saint-Germain.

Throw in Phil Jones having been ill – although he was back at training on Tuesday – Antonio Valencia’s calf issue, plus injuries to Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo and young star Mason Greenwood, and Solskjaer is potentially without 10 options for the trip to Selhurst Park.

Mata will definitely miss the clash [Courtesy]

In terms of players available with senior United experience, Solskjaer has 18 players fit and available.

However three of those – David de Gea, Sergio Romero and Lee Grant – are goalkeepers.

Three more – Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong and James Garner – boast just 37 minutes of Premier League experience between them.

Yet Solskjaer is enthused by the talented young threesome, declaring on Tuesday:”They’ve been part of our training for a long time now and I’m sure Angel has been successful with England’s under-17s, the 2017 team with Sancho, Foden and Hudson-Odoi, so he’s been a big part of that. I’m definitely sure that if he gets a chance he’ll do well.

“James Garner is a Michael Carrick but 20 years younger, I’m sure he’ll do well and Chongy will be taking people on if he comes on.

“They’re ready, they’re kids. It’s hard if you’re a defender coming on if you’re 16 or 17 but as an attacker you go out there and express yourself, and there’s your chance.

“They can win you the game, not lose it for you.”

United’s youngsters are set to train with the first team at Carrington, meaning others will also be handed the chance to impress and earn a place in the travelling party.

Without Rashford and Martial – his first choice strike pairing since reverting to a 4-3-1-2 formation – Solskjaer is left to rely on Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez in attack.

“It’s a chance for them to play to their potential, reputation is one thing, the potential is high and I’m sure that because the two of them are good mates, they link up well together, so this might be a chance for them two to find some form and give a selection headache for when everyone gets fit again.

“Rom created our two biggest chances against Liverpool, it’s a different position for him, I know, because Rashy’s injury meant we had to rely on him standing up there and running in behind, he couldn’t do too much defending work, so Rom’s attitude and work rate was fantastic and the two chances – Jesse’s and Chris at the end – was Rom’s doing.

“They linked up between them against Arsenal in the FA Cup so hopefully Alexis and Rom can step up.”

Manchester United’s 18 fit senior players

Keepers: David de Gea, Sergio Romero, Lee Grant

Defenders: Ashley Young, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling

Midfielders: Andreas Pereira, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba, James Garner, Fred, Angel Gomes

Forwards: Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku, Tahith Chong

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