Predicted XI | MUFC vs. Crystal Palace (31/10/2015)

GOAL | David de Gea

Romero did well during the Capital One cup defeat at home to 'Boro, making a couple of exceptional saves, but there was no doubt it was a one-off selection from van Gaal. A shame really that the cup run ended so unexpectedly as you feel these games will be the only opportunity the Argentinian, who many expected would be United's no.1 when he was brought in during the "de Gea to Real Madrid" rumours, will get in the first team.

DEFENCE | Matteo Darmian, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo

Valencia, who has started United's last three games at right-back, is injured so Darmian will replace him. Jones and Smalling appear to be an immovable force at the moment, while Rojo has done really well since returning from injury and replacing Blind/Shaw at left back. Our defence has become a nice, simple selection for van Gaal; the man who, this time last season, had already experimented with no less than 14 players at the back (although these were of course the dark days of playing five at the back).

MIDFIELD | Juan Mata, Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera,  Morgan Schneiderlin, Anthony Martial

Another fairly straight forward choice for LVG. Mata was an unused sub during the week, so will return on the right for the trip to Palace, while he ensured Schneiderlin was kept fresh for the League game by leaving him out of the squad entirely. Carrick and Schweinsteiger appear to be wrestling for that second central-midfield spot at the minute, with the German holding the position for United's last three league games, but I feel Carrick's performance in the League Cup was solid enough to keep him in the starting XI this weekend. As for the left slot, as long as van Gaal insists on starting Rooney up front, while Depay continues to fight his way back in the side, then Martial - the man of the moment - will keep his place on the left.

ATTACK | Wayne Rooney

Another poor display by Rooney during the week has been conveniently overlooked thanks to a stupid Middlesbrough fan and his laser pen. However as I said, this incident during the penalty shootout is purely a distraction from yet another dire performance from United's captain. "When will the manager be brave enough to drop him?" is the question all United fans are currently asking. For me, it should be ASAP, with Martial playing up front and Ashey Young out on the left. However this is the most stubborn manager in the business we're talking about. So it doesn't look like he'll be doing the smart thing any time soon.