Some Manchester United fans can't wait for the Premier League season to end sooner rather than later.
Erik ten Hag's side are so lacking in consistency that they will not be playing in next season's Champions League, and it will take drastic changes to make the changes the Dutchman has been asking for. It feels like a change in personnel is necessary.
First, there's the small matter of beating an in-form Crystal Palace side who got the result when they needed it to keep them out of the relegation zone.
In Jean-Philippe Mateta, Palace have one of the sharpest shooters in the Premier League these days, and they rarely take their eyes off the talented duo of Michael Olise and Ebereshi Eze. Both players are on the radar of United's scouting department.
What happens next is a fun Monday night encounter in south London.
Crystal Palace vs Man United highlights
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Crystal Palace team news
Palace should be able to bring in Eze and United's other transfer target, centre-back Marc Gehi, who has been out injured for the past two months.
No such luck for Cheik Doucoure. However, the quartet of Sam Johnstone, Rob Holding and Mateusz Franca were not available at Selhurst Park.
The impressive Adam Wharton continues in central midfield, allowing the talented trio in front of him to do their job against a United defense that wants goalkeeper Andre Onana to do his job well. It should provide energy and spark.
Crystal Palace expected line-up: Henderson. Muñoz, Klein, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell. Wharton, Hughes. Orise, Mateta, Eze.
manchester united team news
Ten Hag was asked in a recent interview why he hasn't achieved the same level of results as he did in his first season in charge, and cited United's terrible injury history.
The casual room is as full as ever for the final few games, and the list of unavailable defenders is quite staggering. Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malasia and Willie Kambwala are all out, while veteran Jonny Evans is also not feeling well.
Further forward, Marcus Rashford is likely to be absent, although questions remain over the suitability of midfield duo Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay.
Manchester United expected lineup: Onana; Dalot, Evans, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka. Casemiro, Mainu. Anthony, Fernandez, Garnacho. Hojuland.
Crystal Palace vs Man United predictions
There's rarely a dull moment watching Manchester United, and this game on Monday night should be a very even one.
Palace have stepped up their game to avoid danger and are playing much more freely under manager Oliver Glasner. They will be looking to rain down shots on Onana's goal and give the Cameroonian even more of a spotlight.
United can attack sharply in enemy territory when they want to, and with Tottenham's poor form of late they still have a chance of finishing fifth, so they need to be strong enough to respond and at least take home a point. You should have it.
prediction: Crystal Palace 2-2 Manchester United
