Just when Manchester United looked like they might finally be turning a corner after a run of positive results, they crashed straight back down to earth on Monday night. A flat, uninspired performance at Old Trafford saw them lose 1-0 to David Moyes’ ten-man Everton. It was a result that reopened questions around manager Rúben Amorim and what exactly this United team are trying to be.
With a tough away trip to Crystal Palace coming up on Sunday, we spoke with former Manchester United defender Paul Parker to get his thoughts on the fixture, the state of United’s squad, and how the club will cope during the Africa Cup of Nations.
Crystal Palace Are Favourites, And Paul Parker Makes No Secret of It
After Idrissa Gueye was sent off for slapping teammate Michael Keane, most supporters expected United to take control and see out the match with ease. Instead, after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s strike beat Senne Lammens, Amorim’s side completely ran out of ideas. There was no spark and no initiative. It was a team lacking the improvisation needed to break down a depleted but stubborn Everton side.
Next up is Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, and Parker believes United head into the game as clear underdogs. In fact, Palace are not only his “favourite team to watch” in the Premier League, he also thinks they should be favourites to win the match.
“Crystal Palace are my favourite team to watch in the Premier League. They are entertaining and I really enjoy watching them. They stand together like a team and Oliver Glasner is a phenomenal manager.”
“They are very big favourites to beat Manchester United. Very, very big favourites. As it is right now, no one thinks that Man United can beat Crystal Palace. They are just too strong. Better players, better team spirit, better organised and a very strong unit. I expect them to beat Man United quite comfortably.”
Despite losing stars like Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, Oliver Glasner has Palace flying high in fifth place. Parker is hugely impressed by their ability not just to stay competitive, but to remain genuinely dangerous.
“It says everything about Crystal Palace as a club that they lost Michael Olise and Eze, but just continue to deliver. Olise has arguably been Bayern’s best player despite Kane’s numbers, and Eze was excellent, but Glasner never mentions them unless he is asked. It is quite mad what they are able to do and I think almost everyone in this country likes them. They have become quite a darling in that sense.”
Manchester United Cannot Replace Mbeumo, Says Parker
Another major issue approaching for United is the absence of their key players during AFCON 2025. Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui will all depart to represent their nations, which is something Parker strongly supports as the tournament’s significance deserves full respect.
However, their absence leaves a huge hole in United’s squad, especially on the right-hand side. According to Parker, Mbeumo’s departure is the biggest blow of all.
“It is impossible for Man United to cope with the loss of Mbeumo when he leaves for the AFCON. They simply can’t. They have no one close to his level, so they will struggle without him.”
“He is going to be a massive miss, and I can’t see how they can do anything without him. He is one of the best players in the league, and he is definitely the best player for Manchester United.”
“He is seriously scary on that right-hand side, but who should replace him? Amad Diallo is gone as well. Will they play Mason Mount or Zirkzee there? Gosh, I can’t imagine how that is going to look.”
With Amad Diallo also leaving, Parker is unsure how United will fill the gap and feels as though Amad’s absence will be just as damaging.
“Amad will be a massive miss as well. Man United might have to change their whole approach, because nothing will come from that right-hand side without them. Amad is a big threat and we can see that in every game. No one is able to take on their opponent like him, so no one can replace him.”
“Combined with both of them being out, that is going to be a nightmare. A true nightmare. I don’t really have faith that other players can step up to their level, which is normally expected at a big club like Manchester United.”
United’s season continues to be inconsistent, and Monday night’s defeat to ten-man Everton was another harsh reminder of how fragile this team remains. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, look well-coached and genuinely exciting, which is everything United are still struggling to be under Amorim.
