The only positive for Erik ten Hag and Manchester United is that this result is better than last season's 4-0 defeat at Selhurst Park. The "Red Devils" did not concede a goal but still could not score against Crystal Palace. The defeat in May was perhaps the low point of last year's disappointing season. This draw comes at a time when the Old Trafford team is showing signs of good form.
Man United were completely dominant in the first half and could have taken the lead if not for the crossbar and a brilliant performance from Dean Henderson. Throughout the match, Henderson made 7 saves with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.65.
United may have scored on their first chances and easily won, as they did against Southampton last week. But things rarely go according to plan for this team. United always surprises the odds by losing through basic defensive situations, letting goals slip away due to a tragic offside error or squandering a series of good chances.
Another reality that is not unfamiliar to Man United fans is the fact that they have to accept defeat. What happens if Andre Onana does not play well, Lisandro Martinez is sent off for a rough tackle, or Eberechi Eze makes better use of his opportunities? Then the “Red Devils” will lose 3/5 of their first Premier League matches.
In fact, just go back a week and if Cameron Archer had scored from the penalty spot when Southampton were playing better, it is very possible that Man United would have got a bad result. The hypothetical situations are not real but there is no denying that everything about Man United at the moment is uncertain. The Manchester team can play excellent football for short periods but it is difficult to maintain it consistently.
Onana’s penalty save last week provided the morale-boosting boost that saw United score three against Southampton and then seven against Barnsley, but against Crystal Palace, even as they bombarded Henderson’s goal, there was a sense that the team could suddenly fall back into disrepair.
That was certainly the case after Joshua Zirkzee left the pitch. What had looked like a game that was only a matter of time before Ten Hag's men scored turned into a game Palace could win without dominating the game.
United’s wasted chances have led to questions being raised about Ten Hag’s decision to leave Rashford on the bench, which he has explained as a need for rotation, which makes sense given the young talents of Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho. However, with Rashford having scored three goals in his last two games after a dry spell, the decision is open to criticism following the draw.
However, it wasn’t just the missed chances that were the problem, it was the way the game changed when Zirkzee was taken off in the 60th minute. The Dutchman provided a vital anchor that neither Rashford nor Hojlund could replace during his time on the pitch. None of United’s forwards won an aerial duel in the final 30 minutes, which contributed to their disjointed play and gave Palace more confidence.
United played better, generating almost double the xG of Crystal Palace. Based on the numbers, they should have won. But this was a familiar Manchester United image, disappointing at a time when expectations were high. The “Red Devils” did not win, did not build on the momentum after 2 wins. Questions about Ten Hag and the team management were raised once again.
