Manchester United endured a dismal afternoon at Old Trafford, suffering a humbling 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Defensive frailties from set pieces, an all-too-familiar issue, once again proved costly as the visitors capitalized to claim all three points.
Palace set the tone early with a rapid counterattack, penetrating United’s defensive third with pace. Amad Diallo managed to win back possession but made an unusual choice, rather than clearing the danger, he attempted to dribble his way out, inviting pressure.
Though he eventually worked the ball to safety, it was a risky decision from the winger.
Bruno Fernandes delivered an accurate long ball to Noussair Mazraoui on the right flank, leading to a quick link-up with Kobbie Mainoo. Mainoo picked out Alejandro Garnacho with a well-timed pass, and though his shot was deflected for a corner, Palace defended the set piece with ease.
United then launched another swift counter, with Amad setting up Mainoo, whose powerful effort rattled the post. Despite lacking an out-and-out striker, United showed flashes of attacking promise.
At the 10-minute mark, Palace squandered a golden opportunity to go ahead. Daniel Muñoz found himself unmarked in the box but sent his header over the bar.
A few minutes later, United earned a corner, and Lisandro Martínez attempted a shot, only to see it blocked by Palace’s solid backline.
The visitors continued to threaten, with Jean-Philippe Mateta orchestrating a dangerous counterattack before cutting the ball back to Maxence Lacroix. The defender unleashed a ferocious long-range strike, forcing a brilliant save from Andre Onana.
Palace came close again shortly after, as Ismaïla Sarr’s close-range header missed the target. Their relentless pressure was causing United real problems.
With seven minutes left in the first half, Mateta tore through United’s defense, leaving Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire trailing.
However, his shot curled just wide of the far post, much to the relief of the home crowd.
United had one last push before the break, but Martínez’s final attempt soared over the crossbar, ensuring a goalless first half. With the match proving more difficult than anticipated, Ruben Amorim needed to find a spark in attack.
The second half started with a setback, as Maguire picked up a yellow card for a rash challenge on Mateta near the penalty area.
The resulting free-kick was met by Marc Guéhi, but Onana handled his header comfortably.
United immediately responded with another break, Amad setting up Fernandes for a powerful strike, which Dean Henderson parried out for a corner.
Fernandes won a free-kick in the 53rd minute after a rough challenge from Will Hughes. His delivery into the box found Maguire, who nodded it toward Manuel Ugarte. The midfielder’s shot packed power, but Palace’s defense held firm.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 64th minute, much to the horror of the Old Trafford faithful. Eberechi Eze whipped in a dangerous free-kick, where Lacroix outmuscled Yoro and sent a looping header onto the crossbar. Mateta reacted fastest to the rebound, smashing it into the net.
In the aftermath of the goal, Fernandes received a yellow card for dissent.
Amorim made attacking changes, bringing on Rasmus Højlund for Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee for Mazraoui.
With 16 minutes left, Ugarte was booked for a poorly timed tackle, giving Palace another chance to extend their lead. From the resulting set piece, Jefferson Lerma’s header narrowly missed the target, exposing more of United’s defensive weaknesses.
Minutes later, disaster struck as Lisandro Martínez collapsed in agony, clutching his knee after an awkward movement.
The severity of the injury was immediately apparent, with Matthij de Ligt prepared to come on in his place.
Medical staff rushed onto the pitch, and Martínez, visibly in distress, had to be stretchered off. Amorim could only hope the injury wasn’t as serious as it seemed.
As play resumed, United continued to struggle from corners, with Fernandes’ 86th-minute delivery easily collected by the goalkeeper—one of 10 fruitless corners for the hosts.
Christian Eriksen replaced Ugarte late on, marking his 300th Premier League appearance.
With two minutes left in regulation time, Palace put the game to bed. Muñoz latched onto a long pass on the right flank and found Mateta in the center, who made no mistake in slotting home his second goal of the game.
Nine minutes of stoppage time followed due to Martínez’s injury, but United offered little response.
As fans streamed out of Old Trafford, questions loomed over United’s ongoing defensive lapses and lack of attacking firepower.
While Amorim bears some responsibility, the failure to reinforce the squad in January remains a glaring issue—one that Ineos must address if United hope to turn their fortunes around.
