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Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester United: Match report, player ratings, expert analysis and more

All the action and analysis from the Premier League clash at Selhurst Park

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Manchester United dropped points for the first time in ten Premier League games as a goal-of-the-season contender restricted them to a draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

In a largely balanced first half, United were the beneficiary of two vital moments. Firstly, David de Gea excellently tipped an effort from Odsonne Edouard over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.

Then, moments later, Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure switched off, allowing Christian Eriksen to find a yard of space inside the Eagles’ penalty area. The Dane found Bruno Fernandes with his cutback, who in turn found the back of the net to send his side into the break in the lead.

For the early part of the second half, United looked well in control, with Casemiro excelling in the centre of midfield. And, midway through the second 45, they had a strong shout for a penalty turned down when Chris Richards brought down Scott McTominay.

But, things began to go wrong for the Red Devils 10 minutes from time. First, Casemiro saw yellow for a lunge on Wilfried Zaha, which means he will miss the top of the table clash with Arsenal. Minutes later, United’s failure to capitalise on their dominance was punished when Michael Olise curled in an excellent free kick from 25 yard out to bring the sides level, and hand Palace what was, in the end, a well deserved point.

It could have been more too, with only an inch perfect sliding challenge from Aaron Wan-Bissaka preventing Wilfried Zaha from grabbing a winner in stoppage time, and Ten Hag’s side were left ruing what could have been as they lost more ground on the top of the Premier League.

Player ratings

Crystal Palace

  • GK: Vicente Guaita (7) – Didn’t have too much to do but was solid.
  • RB: Nathaniel Clyne (7) – Dealt with Rashford well as he kept the League’s most in form forward quiet.
  • CB: Chris Richards (7) – A very solid debut from the American, who made a couple of excellent sliding challenges to chase down Rashford and Antony. Perhaps lucky to get away with not conceding a penalty midway through the second half.
  • CB: Marc Guehi (6) – One moment of miscommunication with Mitchell aside, the Palace captain had a strong game in the heart of defence.
  • LB: Tyrick Mitchell (6) – Looked shaky to begin with but grew into the game well.
  • CDM: Will Hughes (7) – Added some grit and quality into the Palace midfield. Likely to become a regular feature going forwards.
  • CDM: Cheick Doucoure (5) – Solid for the most part but switched off at a vital moment to allow United to grab the opening goal.
  • RM: Michael Olise (8) – Grew into the game as it went on and produced some nice moments of skill. Produced a goal of the season contender in stoppage time to grab a deserved point for the Eagles.
  • CAM: Jean-Philippe Mateta (5) – Diligent defensively but couldn’t make too much impact in the final third.
  • LM: Wilfried Zaha (6) – Continued to look like Palace’s most dangerous player, but never really had a clear sight of goal.
  • ST: Odsonne Edouard (5) – Went close with one effort in the first half but was found wanting massively with his hold up play, which couldn’t help get Palace up the pitch.

Substitutes

  • Eberechi Eze (7) – Added some quality in the final third and was responsible for some enterprising forward runs.
  • Jeffrey Schlupp (5) – Solid but unspectacular in midfield.
  • Jordan Ayew (4) – Guilty of missing a great chance 15 minutes from time, and didn’t offer much for Palace.

Manchester United

  • GK: David De Gea (8) – Produced two excellent saves but could do nothing about the Crystal Palace equaliser.
  • RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (8) – Continues to excel in the absence of Diogo Dalot, and forced Zaha to switch wings at half time. Produced a goal saving tackle in the dying seconds to cling onto a point.
  • CB: Raphael Varane (6) – Assured at the heart of the Manchester United for the most part.
  • CB: Lisandro Martinez (5) – Looked a little rusty on his return to the side.
  • LB: Luke Shaw (6) – Moved back to left back from central defence. Struggled against Zaha and was muted going forwards, while his foul led to the Palace equaliser.
  • CDM: Casemiro (8) – Walking on eggshells, with a potential booking ruling him out of Sunday’s clash with Arsenal, he put in another excellent performance for the Red Devils until 10 minutes from time, when he was booked for an ugly lunge on Wilfried Zaha.
  • CDM: Christian Eriksen (7) – Kept the ball moving in midfield well and produced an excellent assist for Bruno Fernandes to open the scoring.
  • RM: Antony (5) – Continues to flatter to deceive in a Manchester United shirt, and delivered another mixed performance without ever really looking assured.
  • CAM: Bruno Fernandes (6) – Took his goal nicely but was largely quiet otherwise.
  • LM: Marcus Rashford (5) – A quiet outing by his own recent high standards. Hardly got a sniff on the Crystal Palace goal.
  • ST: Wout Weghorst (6) – His link up play was tidy and he enjoyed a solid debut in Manchester United colours.

Substitutes

  • Scott McTominay (5) – Looked slightly off the pace when he replaced Weghorst.
  • Alejandro Garnacho (5) – Could not really impact the game upon entry.
  • Fred (5) – Was solid but unspectacular when he came on. Avoided a booking and is likely to start against Arsenal.

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Ben Browning

Football writer and analyst. Long-time writer of all things Arsenal and avid watcher of European football. Happy to discuss all things football over on Twitter.

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