Man Utd 0 Crystal Palace 1
Erik ten Hag’s side welcomed Crystal Palace to Old Trafford for a second game in the space of five days as the Red Devils had dispatched their opponents three-nil in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. The home fans were hoping to see much of the same in this game.
In a stop/start season, Man Utd have had more ‘we’re back’ moments than Jason Voorhees. It was time for the excuse-laden Erik ten Hag to finally get his house in order. The Dutch manager has seemed deluded in his post-defeat interviews this season, so much so, had he been the captain of the Titanic he would have described the event as ‘a good chance to use our new lifeboats’.
The visitors created the first chance of the game as a cross from the left was met by the head of Guehi but the defender should have done better as he failed to hit the target. An early warning for Man Utd that they may not have things all their own way in this one.
Rashford played a ball through to Hojlund who managed to get a touch before the onrushing Johnstone but he did not get enough of a telling touch to it and it was easily cleared by the Palace defence, although the effort did seem to be heading goalwards.
Credit: @CPFC
Makeshift left-back, Sofyan Ambrabat, was then penalised for a blatant push on Andrew Ayew in a wide position. As Eze delivered the cross it was met on the volley at the back post by Joachim Andersen who drilled it home.
Man Utd tried to respond immediately as Casemiro struck a shot narrowly wide from outside the box. The Palace keeper seemed to have it covered but was at full-stretch as he looked to protect his goal.
As the second half began, ten Hag’s side looked to put the visitors under pressure as Fernandes struck for the top corner but was denied by a brilliant save from Sam Johnstone. Rasmus Hojlund met the corner but his header was well saved by the visitor’s keeper.
Will Hughes then tested the Man Utd keeper from distance but the flamboyant keeper palmed the ball back out to deny him.
United came forward once again with Rashford and as he looked to cross the ball it struck a Palace defender which spurred appeals for handball from all inside the ground with red shirts on. The replay showed that Ward had his hand in a completely natural position and nothing was given.
Garnacho then crossed from the byline, deflecting off Andersen and then going striking the leg of Mitchell on the back post, although the defender knew very little about it. The only astounding thing was how the ball didn’t go in off either Palace player.
Credit: @ManUtd
Crystal Palace managed to hold on for all three points and human owl impersonator, Roy Hodgson, was overjoyed to take the spoils. This is now Man Utd’s worst start to a league season for 34 years, Erik ten Hag is constantly setting new records as all their fans proclaimed he would, but not for the right reasons.
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