The Advertiser spoke to journalist and Manchester United fan Frank Foster ahead of tomorrow's clash at Old Trafford…
Fair to say United still haven't got going yet?
A disappointing 13 points from ten games would suggest that is an understatement. Discounting the last two games - against Chelsea and Man City - the opening fixtures were kind to Louis Van Gaal but our season has been punctuated by the same inconsistencies that blighted David Moyes' tenure. We are without an away win but despite our performances improving at home any momentum has been lacking.
The new signings – on paper – have been impressive. Do they need more time to gel?
As Spurs found last season and Liverpool are discovering this year, a glut of new players often take time to function in tandem. Southampton are proving an exception but despite the new faces, the amount of injuries at United has left the squad threadbare at times. If Van Gaal can get everyone fully fit over Christmas we will have a better idea of the team's capabilities.
Louis Van Gaal, do you think he'll get it right?
Although the statistics tell a different story, the level of our play has improved from last year and the fans' confidence in Van Gaal remains resolute. To Moyes' lament, that is what a Champions League trophy and league titles in Holland, Germany and Spain will buy you.
Which Palace players have caught your eye?
Yannick Bolasie is an exciting player who will be a threat as we have seen previously with players prepared to run at our inexperienced defence. Palace have pace across the forward line with Dwight Gayle, Fraizer Campbell and Jason Puncheon but the Congolese is the pick of the bunch.
Wilfried Zaha can't play obviously. What's the feeling among United fans on him?
United fans love players who excite the crowd and I had high hopes for Zaha. He is young, English and Sir Alex Ferguson rated him so everything seemed in place for him to succeed at Old Trafford. Against Palace last season Moyes brought on Adnan Januzaj instead of him and Zaha never really got a sniff after that. With Angel Di Maria added to the squad I would be very surprised if he had a future under Van Gaal, although I would love to be proved wrong.
And finally, a score prediction?
Seeing as we are likely to field a back four containing two 19-year-olds in the shape of Paddy McNair and Luke Shaw - and two midfielders in Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia – the chances of United keeping a clean are pretty slim. However, if Falcao returns I can see us bagging a few ourselves. I'm going for 4-2 to United.
