As criticism over Manchester United's style of play under Louis Van Gaal continues, all that will matter to the Dutchman will be three points when they travel to London to face CrystalPalace in the English Premier League on Saturday.

Despite playing some underwhelming football, Manchester United are pretty smartly placed in fourth, just two points adrift of ManchesterCity and Arsenal.

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While the football can improve considerably under Van Gaal, what surely matters more at the moment is results, and another three points against CrystalPalace will quieten those critics.

"I know that if I lose and lose then I will be finished, I know that," Van Gaal said. "But I shall do everything for this club and these fans, who are unbelievable.

"Last year we had 13 points from 10 games and now these fans see that we have 20 points out of ten and that we were in the next round of the Capital One Cup and we are in the Champions League. Last year it was not like this.

"We are improving a lot, but it is a process, it takes three years, which is why I signed for three years."

Manchester United, who will be without Antonio Valencia, Memphis Depay and James Wilson for this match, failed to find that goalscoring touch in midweek against Championship club Middlesbrough in the League Cup, eventually going out on penalties, with Wayne Rooney and his form coming under scrutiny again.

However, with CrystalPalace struggling for form a little – they were thumped by ManchesterCity in the Capital One Cup – this might be another opportunity for Rooney and co. to find their touch in front of goal and make a title statement.

Alan Pardew and Palace, though, will also be keen to turn their fortunes around, and while United have been extremely solid at the back, the home team will know three points is not entirely out of the question.

"Overall I think we've had a decent start to the season, but the last couple of weeks certainly haven't been good," CrystalPalace defender Brede Hangeland told the club's official website. "We need to try to rectify that as soon as possible and we're working hard to do that.

"I don't think there's anything particular that's caused it. We've played some good teams and things haven't really gone well for us, so we need to keep working hard, and we're just desperate for another chance to put things right on Saturday."

Injuries, though, might play their part, with Pardew set to be without Marouane Chamakh and Connor Wickham, while key midfielder Yohan Cabaye is a doubt along with Pape Soare and Joel Ward.

"Cabaye's a doubt, we'll have to see how he is. Connor Wickham is a definite no, Pape Souare is a doubt, Wardy is a doubt. Chamakh is not going to be involved.

"Punch [Jason Puncheon] will be okay."

Where to Watch Live -- TV and live streaming information

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United is scheduled for a 3 pm local time (8.30 pm IST, 11 am ET) start. Star Sports 1 will show the match live in India, while the online live streaming options are on Starsports.com and Hotstar.

There will be no live TV coverage for viewers in the UK, but live radio coverage will be on BBC Radio 5 Live. Australia viewers can watch the EPL game live on Fox Sports, while the online live streaming options are on Fox Sports On Demand and Foxtel Play.

Watch the EPL game live in the US on NBC Sports Network, with the live stream option on NBC Sports Live Extra. Audience in Canada can watch Manchester United battle Crystal Palace live on TSN and TSN TV.

In Singapore, the Crystal Palace vs Manchester United match will be shown live on 102 Mio, while the action can be watched live in Malaysia on Fox Sports. Viewers in Thailand can flip their remotes to CTH, while audience in Indonesia can watch the EPL game live on Orange TVPPTV and QQ Sports will show the match live in China.

Audience in the Middle East and North Africa will be able to watch the EPL match live on Bein Sports Arabia, with the live streaming option on Bein Sports Connect.