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Ole Gunnar Solskjær must be wondering where all the goals have gone. A third straight goalless draw may have extended Manchester United’s unbeaten record to 21 Premier League matches, but another timid performance that delivered a shot on goal despite the wide array of talent on display was further proof that the coach still has a lot of work to do.
Now 14 points behind their neighbors as Manchester City’s procession to a third league title in four years continues, United worked on attacking opponents who are made in the image of their coach, Roy Hodgson. It was another triumph for the Palace’s defensive organization and there was no doubt that he left the bench in a better mood at the final whistle, with Sunday’s Manchester derby taking center stage.
Solskjær revealed before kickoff that David de Gea’s absence from the team of the day was due to “personal reasons”, as Dean Henderson made only his third start to the season in the league, one of four changes for the team to tie. with Chelsea on Sunday. With Edinson Cavani leading an attacking formation that also featured Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood oddly subdued, it was clear that United wanted to make up for the stalemate at Stamford Bridge. Leicester’s draw at Burnley offered an additional incentive for United to consolidate in second place, even if they know they have little chance of catching up with City, whatever the weekend’s result.
Palace had made just six shots in his last two games, but still racked up four points for his attempt to survive another season despite the absence of Wilfried Zaha. The Ivory Coast international was deemed not fit enough to return against his former club after scoring twice in Palace’s 3-1 win at Old Trafford earlier in the season, but Hodgson’s team has been three unbeaten matches without his talisman. The coach made a change from the team that started the 0-0 draw with Fulham here on Sunday and it was the hosts who made a more impressive start to a foggy night in South London that must have made things difficult for the United players. wearing his black uniform. and third white kit ‘Zebra’.
A mistake by Harry Maguire almost ended in another wonderful goal by Christian Benteke after Andros Townsend chose him, but this time the Belgian forward’s effort sailed high at Sainsbury’s End. It took a spectacular save from Vicente Guaita to avoid a shot from Nemanja Matic that malevolently deflected over James McCarthy, with the Spaniard in full extension to dump the ball over the crossbar. Cavani should have scored from the resulting corner after a goal header hit Rashford and fell to his feet. Rashford also missed a good opportunity moments later.
Greenwood was the next to try his luck with a shot that strayed wide as United began to dominate possession and territory, but Palace also looked menacing when Eberechi Eze or Jordan Ayew had the ball at their feet in forward positions.
United have only been ahead at halftime in six Premier League games so far this season, but Cavani nearly made seven when a brilliant cross from Aaron Wan-Bissaka against his former club was intercepted at the last minute by Joel Ward. .
Palace, who knew a win would put them ahead of Leeds in 11th place, was once again the quickest of blocks in the second half when another acrobatic effort by Benteke drifted into a corner before Ayew bit the gloves. from Henderson with a powerful solo shot inside the area. Hodgson had made clear his discontent that this game was “imposed” on his players after he moved ahead at the end of the month to allow United to play their FA Cup quarter-finals against Leicester on March 21. However, if they felt the effort of back-to-the-wall performances in their last two games, Palace certainly didn’t show it.
A Townsend volley off the post was another warning shot for United, once again struggling to find an attacking rhythm. “Move the ball. Side to side, ”a frustrated Solskjær yelled as another movement broke on the edge of the Palace area. A heated exchange between Rashford and Maguire after the forward was caught offside showed the tension was building.
It wasn’t until substitute Daniel James saw his header deflected over the bar by Patrick van Aanholt that United even appeared to score. Greenwood’s effort from outside the area that flew tight over the bar as the fog quickly descended was the closest they came, and Van Aanholt couldn’t risk it would have given Palace their first home win over United in the Premier League. League, on the twelfth attempt, thanks to Henderson’s save. Solskjær should probably be grateful for the little mercies.
