Another game, another shutout and the goal drought continues, Manchester United might have kept a clean sheet against Crystal Palace and kept their incredible defensive performance going but it was their attack that went missing in a charged up atmosphere at Selhurst Park.
Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace didn’t have the greatest of records of late but were looking to get the better on Manchester United. The Red Devils were looking to go to the top of the league table but were held by Crystal Palace to a goalless draw.
Palace on fire but United control the game
It was Palace, who started the game on fire and United’s defence was bombarded with the attack from both sides. Matteo Darmian and Marcos Rojo were played as the wingbacks but it was Darmian who had a horrible time dealing with the likes of Bolasie. David de Gea had to be alert as he expertly and miraculously kept Palace at bay in the first half.
Palace were targeting the two wingbacks of Manchester United at the start of the game but United slowly got their groove back especially thanks to their midfield pairing of Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger. The two were combative and ensured that the Crystal Palace midfielders Yohan Cabaye and McArthur couldn’t get a strong foothold for most of the game.
The biggest problem that Manchester United had during the game was the inefficiency of their attack. Something that almost every pundit has mentioned so far this season, the lack of a credible attack has cost Manchester United and this time it could have done as well.
Wayne Rooney cut a peripheral figure as the lone attacker; it seems the Manchester United striker could have played most of the game in the midfield since he was picking up balls facing his goal more than the opposition.
The bright spark for Manchester United this season, Anthony Martial was played out wide and once allowed Wayne Rooney to run onto a delightful through ball but the Palace goalkeeper Hennessey got there, thwarting United’s best chance in the game.
This match was actually quite dull after the madness in the first fifteen minutes. Manchester United did actually hold onto the ball more than Palace, again thanks to their midfielders but they were unable to do anything with it. United had 56% of possession but only managed six shots on goal with just one on target.
What next for Manchester United?
For all their dominance, Manchester United do not look like scoring a goal anytime soon, surely Louis van Gaal has to work around Wayne Rooney, maybe even drop him to accommodate someone else. He, at the moment, isn’t providing much to United’s attack and Martial should start in a more advanced role.
Their defence does seem to be holding out pretty well and they do have the meanest defence in the Premier League plus their midfield has a lot of options to use later on. If United are to do well in their next game in the UEFA Champions League, Louis van Gaal would have to make a few tough decisions, especially when it comes to Wayne Rooney’s position in the squad.