3 Players United Will Have To Be Wary Of – Crystal Palace

Manchester United of course host Crystal Palace tonight at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup, so with that in mind it’s worth taking a look at these three players who we should be wary of going into the game:

Darren Ambrose

There are few better goal-scoring midfielders in the Championship than Ambrose who has become a key part of Palace’s midfield over the last three seasons. He is well known for his powerful shot and great passing ability which has seen him become a firm fan-favourite at the club.

As a youngster he was highly though of at Ipswich and then Newcastle where he was signed by the late Sir Bobby Robson. Sadly due to injuries and a loss of form his career has never quite hit the heights that many fans and pundits predicted it would have.

He has scored twice against United in the past and scored the opener in a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford for Newcastle in 2005, which was the game which Wayne Rooney famously scored that memorable volley of his. Ambrose would love to score again tonight.

Sean Scannel

Over the years there have been some fantastic young players that have made their name at Palace. Ian Wright is the most famous of those and Palace fans are hoping that winger Scannel can go on and hit the heights of the great former striker.

Comfortable on the flanks as well as up top, Scannel despite being only 21 has played over 100 league games for the club since making his debut in December 2007 against QPR. He has blistering pace and looks a great prospect for the future.

Nights like this on the big occasion are what young players thrive on and a good performance tonight from Scannell could well put the Irish U21 international in the shop window and get a few Premier League clubs interested. 

Julian Speroni

Former England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn might have been voted Palace’s greatest ever goalkeeper by their fans but judging by Speroni’s performances over the last four seasons, it’s a shoe-in that the Argentine must be their second best ever keeper.

After three years as the Hungarian International Gabor Kiraly’s understudy, Speroni showed his credentials in the 07/08 season where he played every minute of Palace’s eventful league season which saw them lose out in the Championship play-offs.

Speroni has impressed the Selhurst Park faithful and has been voted the club’s player of the year in three of the last four seasons. He is an excellent shot-stopper who certainly has the ability to play in the top-flight across Europe. 

Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87