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Manchester United 1–3 Crystal Palace
See the match summary at the top!
Ole Gunnar Solskjær and his players were released in the first round, and so began the Premier League season on Saturday against Crystal Palace. An encounter that was brutal for the red shirts.
The case is updated with the reactions of Old Trafford.
Before this season, the Premier League came out with various measures around VAR and penalty situations. Something you really got to see between United and Palace.
The visiting team was punished when Jordan Ayew threw the ball into Victor Lindelöf’s arm, an incident to which no one reacted before he burst into the VAR room.
The match referee, Martin Atkinson, was told in his ear that he had to watch the incident on the VAR screen, and shortly thereafter the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
– I do not understand anything. Hit the arm, but there is never a criminal hand in the world, says TV 2 expert Simen Stamsø-Møller, adding:
– I interpret this as a completely natural movement. If the judges believe this is punishment, there is something seriously wrong with the rules.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær was also clear in his speech on punishment. The Norwegian saw the situation himself on his small screen next to the substitute bench.
– For me, there is no penalty, says Solskjær after the match.
I came back early
At last weekend’s dress rehearsal, there was a loss to Aston Villa. Against Roy Hodgson and Crystal Palace, the red jerseys got off to the worst possible start.
It was barely eight minutes played when the guests went ahead. Jeffrey Schlupp broke free down the left wing and scored against Andros Townsend. The latter was safe in front of the goal and put the ball behind David de Gea.
United had great difficulty starting their game, and Crystal Palace apparently had a good grip on what came with the red jerseys.
Summer travel for Manchester United
The summer for Manchester United has consisted mainly of three things. One positive thing, as well as two negatives.
The positive was that Solskjær managed to connect with the Dutch Donny van de Beek. The 23-year-old started on the bench in the opening match.
But there are also two negative events that have marked United’s summer. Harry Maguire was arrested for the first time on vacation, while Mason Greenwood soon got into trouble when the England national team was in Iceland.
United asked for a penalty
After 39 minutes, Paul Pogba went downhill, leaving his shoe behind. The Frenchman screamed for a penalty. The VAR photos showed a Palace player stepping on Pogba’s shoe, but clearly there was insufficient evidence for the VAR room, so United did not receive a penalty.
Just before the break, the visiting team was close to doubling the lead when Jordan Ayew dribbled onto the field and fired into goal. A quick block from David de Gea saved the home team at that point. A beautiful rescue of the Spanish.
With the rescue, the last chance ensured United could enter the locker room with just one behind.
ALMOST IMPRESSED: Sir Alex Ferguson was in his shoes, but was hardly impressed with United’s performance. Photo: Richard Heathcote
– I am left with the feeling that we have seen the last level of Manchester United. I’m afraid this is what may trap them in their struggle to catch up with the best teams in the league, TV 2 soccer expert Simen Stamsø-Møller said during the break.
Also in the second half, United struggled to create things in a strong Palace defense. But it would eventually take all the fire off both targets.
25 minutes before the end, Donny van de Beek was replaced by a very anonymous Paul Pogba. The Dutchman was sent off in search of a goal, and it wasn’t long before he made his mark.
I have to take the punishment again
At 69 minutes, everything stopped when the VAR room thought it had seen a hand on the United field. Victor Lindelöf was unlucky when he was shot in the arm from close range.
After being told by the VAR room to watch the return, referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the penalty spot. David de Gea saved the penalty, but seconds later the referee received a new message in his ear from the VAR room.
The United goalkeeper had left the line before Ayew fired the ball. One of the points that the Premier League announced before the season would be more focused. Therefore, Palace had a new chance, but not Ayew.
The visiting team switched shooters and Wilfried Zaha was safe when he doubled the lead against the old club.
– This was a special day for me. Being captain of the Palace at Old Trafford was great. I’m not surprised that we were good in these two games, we have incredible quality in our team. I asked the players to believe in themselves before the game, and I’m not surprised, says Zaha after the game.
Van de Beek gave a fleeting hope
Ten minutes before the end, it was rookie Donny van de Beek who gave Manchester United hope in their search for points.
The speedy Dutchman suddenly received the ball on his legs after a boring defensive play from Crystal Palace, and placed the ball in the far corner. But it wasn’t long before Zaha punished United again.
The Palace star rejected Lindelöf and hit the goal from 16 meters. Thus, Palace players were able to lower their shoulders again.
– This was a match below United’s par, was the verdict of expert commentator Petter Myhre as the match was coming to a close.
