Match Report: Crystal Palace 4-0 Manchester United | OneFootball

A dismal Manchester United fell to a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace on Monday night in a performance lacking any sign of energy, motivation, or tactical awareness.

While the hunt for a top-four spot is over, getting three points was crucial for Man United to keep their hopes of any European football at all next season alive. Prior to the match, United found themselves in eighth place in the Premier League, putting themselves in serious danger of slipping out of Europe altogether.

Palace were off to a strong start, earning a corner in the first minute after forcing an early save from Andre Onana. Ultimately, it was Jonny Evans who dispossessed Tyrell Mitchell to diffuse the home team’s attack.

United attempted to advance up the wings, with Alejandro Garnacho on the left and Diogo Dalot on the right seeing much of the ball. Still, the Palace defence remained resolute, preventing United from penetrating their back line.

In the 12th minute, it was none other than United transfer target Michael Olise who put the home team ahead. After dribbling past both Christian Eriksen and Casemiro, Olise slotted the ball into the bottom right corner with a left-footed shot.

Even after the restart, United just couldn’t regroup and string together a threatening attack. After 20 minutes, the away side was still unable to get a shot on target.

23 minutes in, Olise almost doubled his tally when he took a snapshot from the edge of the box that Onana did well to catch. Yet again, the defence was wide open, allowing Palace an easy opening.

A minute later, United earned a free kick on the edge of the box when Will Hughes brought down Garnacho. Eriksen lined up to take the free kick, thumping his shot over the top.

As United belted in a corner, it appeared as if they levelled as the ball rolled into the net. The goal was disallowed, however, given that Rasmus Hojlund fouled goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

Seconds later, Olise was in on goal yet again, picking up a poor pass from Kobbie Mainoo only for Onana to dive at the ball just in time.

Again, United’s defence was caught sleeping when Eze got on the end of a sneaky cross. Onana came racing out of his box, chesting the ball before clearing it out of danger.

Five minutes from the break, Palace struck again. John Mateta easily dribbled past Jonny Evans on the left and thumped his shot past the near post to double the home side’s lead.

In a rare attack, Eriksen whipped in a threatening free kick that Casemiro headed over the bar.

Following three minutes of added time, the referee drew a close on what had been a shambolic first-half performance by Erik ten Hag’s team.

From the moment the match kicked off, United struggled to show any signs of energy or enthusiasm. A serious shift in attitude would be crucial for United to find a way back into the game. As the players made their way out of the tunnel after the break, United fans would surely be hoping that their team would show an improvement in the second half.

In the 49th minute Eze got on the end of a cross, taking a one-touch shot that Onana was fortunate to save. Yet again, United appeared to be on the back foot.

A minute later, United were on the attack, with Antony cutting into the edge of the box and forcing a save from the Palace keeper. Finally, United got their first shot on target of the night.

52 minutes in, it appeared as if United got the breakthrough. A free kick by Eriksen found Casemiro, whose header reverberated off the upright. While the Brazilian managed to tap the rebound into the net, he was ruled offside.

Three minutes later, the home side were back on the attack, with Olise laying the ball off to Eze on the edge of the box. Eze’s shot veered inches wide of the far post, sparing United another moment of humiliation.

Just seconds later the bombardment of United’s goalmouth continued, with Mitchell slamming a shot goalwards to force a save from Onana. The subsequent corner found Hughes on the edge of the box, whose volley forced another diving save from Onana to hand Palace another corner.

In the 58th minute, Palace finally got their reward, with Mitchell scoring from close range to all but seal the win for the underdogs.

Before the restart, Sofyan Amrabat came on for Antony. Still, one couldn’t help but think that Ten Hag’s first substitution of the match has come too late to make any real impact on the final outcome.

In the 66th minute, Palace rubbed even more salt in United’s wounds. Munoz easily dispossessed Casemiro, passing to Olise, who whipped in a curling left-footed shot from the edge of the box for his second goal on the night.

Amrabat was shown a yellow card following a recklessly rough sliding tackle on Olise.

With 10 minutes to play, Rasmus Hojlund came off for Ethan Wheatley while Amad Diallo replaced Mason Mount. In the 81st minute, Munoz came close to scoring a fifth for the home team, earning a corner.

As six minutes of added time were announced, Jordan Ayew swung in a corner that almost made its way into the goal save for a clearance from Dalot. Moments later, Edouard almost scored a fifth when his shot hit the post.

Minutes later Ayew got a shot that deflected off Dalot, with Onana barely managed to block it before it crossed the goalline.

With the full-time whistle bringing an end to proceedings, United players hung their heads in shame following a truly disgraceful defeat. It’s becoming increasingly hard to imagine Erik ten Hag going into next season as United’s manager.

Starting XI: Onana, Mount, Hojlund, Eriksen, Garnacho, Casemiro, Dalot, Antony, Wan-Bissaka, Evans, Mainoo

Subs: Amrabat, Wheatley, Amad

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