Five issues Erik ten Hag discovered as Man Utd draw in opposition to Crystal Palace
Manchester United were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening.
Erik ten Hag oversaw a 0-3 victory over Southampton last weekend before a 7-0 Carabao Cup triumph against Barnsley in which Christian Eriksen, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford scored braces.
However, despite his goalscoring exploits in his previous two outings, Rashford had to settle for a spot on the bench at Selhurst Park. United‘s most recent trip to south London ended in a 4-0 defeat. Eriksen started his third match in a row, which saw new man Manuel Ugarte start on the bench.
Lisandro Martinez partnered Matthijs de Lig t at the heart of the defence following their impressive performances at St Mary’s last weekend.
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The first real chance came on 10 minutes; Joshua Zirkzee released Garnacho, who had just the Palace shot-stopper Henderson to beat but could not quite finish as he would have liked.
Minutes later, Eriksen’s corner found the rising De Ligt, but Henderson was up to the task with another save. United dominated the early exchanges with the better of the possession stats as Palace were frustrated.
Garnacho went close on 27 minutes as his looping shot smashed the bar, the shot rebounded to Bruno Fernandes, but he also hit the woodwork with the follow-up.
Just before half-time Palace threatened Andre Onana’s goal when Tyrick Mitchell’s cutback found an unmarked Ebe Eze, but he shot straight at the United ‘keeper.
Early in the second half, United looked the more likely, but Palace hung on without much threat of their own. Although dominant throughout, the Red Devils did not have the cutting edge needed to open the scoring.
Onana was called into action by Eddie Nketiah’s strike on 65 minutes; the ball rebounded off the glove of the ‘keeper giving Isamaila Sarr a second bite but Onana denied his effort.
Eze squandered Palace’s best move, on 72 minutes he had a golden chance but could only shoot wide to the relief of the travelling fans. United’s performance had everything but a goal but there are plenty of encouraging signs for Ten Hag.
The draw sees United in 11th place. Next up for United in the Premier League is the visit of Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs at Old Trafford on Sunday, 29 September.
Defensive dominance
The pairing of Martinez and De Ligt seems to have brought a sense of calm to the defensive unit. De Ligt’s height proved vital at both ends of the pitch and the typically bullish Martinez fended off the powerful Jean-Phillipe Mateta despite their differences in stature. The Red Devils’ defenders limited Palace to just one shot on goal during the first 45 minutes of proceedings.
Excellent Eriksen
The Danish midfielder was linked with a departure during the summer transfer window but looks as determined as ever at the moment. He has started United’s last three games and even bagged himself a brace in midweek.
His patience, class and eye for a pass were there for all to see in the early stages, and he could have had a couple of early assists if his teammates brought their shooting boots. Early in the second half, his pinpoint ball found Amad, who could not quite bring it under control.
Honest Amad
The Ivorian was preferred on the right flank once again, following a decent performance at St Mary’s. He endured a quiet first-half but was his usual tidy self when receiving the ball. The winger was not afraid to drop deep to feel the ball at his feet while Garnacho stretched the Eagles’ defence on the opposite flank. He almost had the opener early in the second half but his curling shot deflected over the crossbar.
Hardworking Zirkzee
Although he plays as a central striker, Zirkzee showed all the signs of being a ‘footballer’ rather than a typical goalscorer. Against Palace, he regularly dropped deep to receive the ball allowing the wingers to run beyond him, which created chances from different angles.
He may have had the opener before half-time if it was not for Henderson’s heroics. Although not totally settled, in time, the Dutchman could prove an important player for Ten Hag. Early in the second half, his cushioned layoff found Fernandes who went close to opening the scoring. As promising as he looks, Zirkzee looks more of a ‘number 10’ than the traditional striker United thought they needed.
Threatening Garnacho
The young Argentine, would have hoped to have a couple of goals going in at the break but a combination of Henderson and the woodwork frustrated the positive winger. He caused the Palace defence issues all evening and on another day could have bagged a couple of goals. Once again, his second-half curler looked destined for goal but Henderson parried wide.
