“You’re getting sacked in the morning” was being sung by the Crystal Palace supporters and while that seems unlikely – Man United have an FA Cup final still to come this season – this game certainly felt like another nail in Ten Hag’s coffin.
United were woeful, looking unprepared and out of their depth. The shambolic display of Casemiro in central defence was the most glaring example, and while the players undoubtedly bear some responsibility, questions have to be asked of the manager who played him out of position and left him there to struggle all game long.
If the new United hierarchy had not already decided to move on from Ten Hag in the summer, the embarrassing nature of this defeat surely makes it a more likely proposition.Man United couldn’t get near him and Olise made them pay, consistently finding space and driving forward when he had the ball. Both of his goals were very well taken, in spite of the calamitous defending which preceded them.
Crystal Palace: Henderson 5, Munoz 7, Clyne 7, Andersen 7, Richards 7, Mitchell 7, Wharton 8, Hughes 6, Eze 7, Olise 8, Mateta 7. Subs: Edouard 6, Riedewald 6, Guehi 6, Ayew 5, Schlupp 5.
GOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 1-0 MAN UNITED (OLISE) 12′ – Palace take the lead through a brilliant goal! Olise beats Casemiro in midfield with quick feet, carries the ball forward, United back off and Olise punishes them, shooting low and past Onana.
DISALLOWED GOAL! 27′ – From a corner, Casemiro heads goalwards – with a looping trajectory – and the ball ends up in the net after Henderson whiffs with his punch! But the officials save Henderson’s blushes, awarding a free kick we’ll charitably describe as soft for Hojlund’s challenge on him.
GOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 2-0 MAN UNITED (MATETA) 40′ – Palace win the ball in midfield and in one Richards pass they have a two-on-two break. Mateta skips past Evans and then rifles home expertly.
GOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 3-0 MAN UNITED (MITCHELL) 58′ – A beautiful
Manchester United: Onana 5, Wan-Bissaka 5, Casemiro 2, Evans 4, Dalot 6, Mainoo 5, Eriksen 3, Mount 4, Antony 4, Garnacho 5, Hojlund 5. Subs: Amrabat 4, Amad 5, Wheatley 5.
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