Crystal Palace added to Manchester United’s woes by handing them a devastating 4-0 defeat at Selhurst Park.
The home team took advantage of United’s injury troubles, dismantling their new formations and at times outplaying them effortlessly.
Palace’s attacking trio of Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, and Jean-Philippe Mateta led the charge with a display of ruthless attacking football.
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Manchester United, under Erik ten Hag, have been struggling with injuries all season, with key players like Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, and Scott McTominay missing for this match.
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Ten Hag fielded Casemiro and Jonny Evans as his 14th different centre-back pairing of the season, but they were unable to contain Palace’s dynamic and creative play.
Michael Olise who has been rumored to join Man United, opened the scoring in the 12th minute and added another with 24 minutes remaining, while Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell also found the net for Oliver Glasner’s dominant sealing a convincing win for Palace.
The United manager acknowledged the support from their fans, emphasizing their disappointment with the team’s performance.
Despite the loss, he expressed gratitude for the fans’ backing and assured them of the team’s determination to improve.
“We didn’t act how we want to do it and it’s by far not good enough. We are very disappointed, but the fans were always behind us and we keep fighting, like the fans did.”
“I was really grateful [to the fans]. They back us. They see also we have our problems.”
Man United boss on Crystal Palace defeat
“There (the first goal) was a script and they should follow it and they didn’t do,” Ten Hag said.
“Professionals shouldn’t allow this because it was such an easy giveaway goal, five players over the ball and they have a throw-in.”
“It’s not the first time this season it happens. I know we have young players but even young players should learn when they play in the first team they should take responsibility there.”
“How we give the goals away and especially when we prepare the team and conceding the first goal is very disappointing. Easy giveaways and it shouldn’t happen and especially not in the circumstances we are in because we have problems. But we have to help each other out.”.
“It’s very disappointing, underperforming definitely,” Ten Hag conceded.
“Worst defeat. We should have done better, it was a team performance, it was not correct, making big mistakes, not following the plan, the script and the rules we have.”
“Of course, also individual mistakes, but then we should cover each other. We didn’t do. We let each other down and you get the worst defeat.”
“Also we know not all the players are in their favourite positions because we have huge problems but then we have to help out each other.”
The defeat against Crystal Palace marked United’s 13th loss in the Premier League this season, setting a new record for the club.
This places them in eighth position, potentially their worst finish in Premier League history.
Carragher on Man United’s support after the embarrassment at Selhurst Park.
“Most teams’ away support is fantastic, but Manchester United’s are absolutely fantastic because their players don’t deserve that.”
“No Manchester United team should be losing 4-0 to Crystal Palace. I get the injury issues, but Manchester United’s Under-23s will have been coached, come through the academy and taught how to play.”
“I think if Manchester United’s Under-23s played against Crystal Palace tonight, they still wouldn’t have lost 4-0 tonight.”
On the other hand, Palace’s victory secured their first league double over United, highlighting their impressive form.
United currently sit in eighth place with 54 points from 35 games, trailing behind Newcastle United in sixth, diminishing their chances of European football next season.
Palace, meanwhile, maintain 14th place with 43 points from 36 matches.
