Manchester United endured a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, marking a historic league double for Palace over United for the first time in their history.
The loss heaps further pressure on manager Erik ten Hag, as his side struggles to secure European football next season, currently languishing in eighth place in the Premier League standings.
Despite several injury absentees, including the notable absence of Bruno Fernandes for the first time in his lengthy tenure at Old Trafford, United’s makeshift defense, featuring Casemiro at center-back, was easily dismantled by a rampant Crystal Palace side. Goals from Michael Olise, who scored a brace, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Tyrick Mitchell sealed a comprehensive victory for the home team.
The defeat sees United enduring their worst Premier League season ever, with 13 losses, highlighting the depth of their struggles. Meanwhile, Palace, under the guidance of new manager Oliver Glasner, showcased their newfound form and tactical prowess, leaving United reeling.
Palace’s dominance was evident from the early stages, with Olise opening the scoring inside 12 minutes after evading a feeble challenge from Casemiro. Mateta doubled Palace’s lead before halftime, taking advantage of defensive lapses from United. Mitchell added a third, capitalizing on a defensive error from Diogo Dalot, before Olise secured his brace to compound United’s misery.
The defeat underscores United’s defensive vulnerabilities and lack of cohesion, further fueling speculation surrounding the future of manager Erik ten Hag. With their European aspirations fading fast, United face an uphill battle to salvage their season.
In contrast, Palace’s resurgence under Glasner continues, with defender Chris Richards highlighting their potential to compete against any team in the league. As United lick their wounds, questions loom large over their ability to bounce back and salvage their season amidst mounting pressure.
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