Erik ten Hag’s embarrassing reign as Manchester United manager continued with a humiliating 4-0 defeat away to Crystal Palace – the Eagles’ first-ever league double over the record English champions. The result leaves United outside the European qualification spots with just two games of the season left to play.
From back to front, and everything else in between, there were few, if any positives to take for Ten Hag. The torment began after just 12 minutes when Michael Olise waltzed through the United backline, before tucking – an albeit scruffy – finish into the right-hand corner.
Jean-Philippe Mateta was next to get in on the act, with the striker skipping beyond a forlorn Jonny Evans, before walloping his effort into Andre Onana’s near post. Not one the United shot-stopper will be keen to see back.
Goals continued to be in strong supply during the second half, with Tyrick Mitchell on hand to make it three to the hosts just before the hour mark. And as if that wasn’t enough, Palace capitalised on a horrific Casemiro error to make it four through Olise’s second goal of the evening. This time, the winger could’ve barely struck the ball any sweeter.
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Woeful Glazers strategy evident with Casemiro display
The good news for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his gang of newly-appointed executives is, that it surely cannot get much worse at United. But the poor decision-making from their predecessors was on full show at Selhurst Park.
It’s less than two years since the three-time European champions splashed £70million on Casemiro’s signing, yet the former Real Madrid ace looked out of his depth against a rampant Palace attack. Granted, the 32-year-old was playing in defence, instead of his usual role in the heart of midfield.
However, be that from losing his man at set-pieces, or giving the ball away to opposition players, Casemiro’s shaky display highlighted the broken recruitment strategy the Glazers had been operating with.
Team spirit lacking as one star loses rag with team-mate
As if the defeat wasn’t bad enough, Ten Hag – or whoever is in charge of United going forward – will have plenty of work to do in regard to the dressing room’s cohesion. Not least with £86million man Antony.
The much-maligned winger was spotted having a mid-game barney with team-mate Alejandro Garnacho, after the latter failed to latch onto Antony’s wayward pass. The incident – which took place just in front of the United dugout – appeared to spark Ten Hag into a substitution, with Antony hooked shortly after.
Latest Palace gem emerges after Crystal clear showing
From Olise to Eberechi Eze, Palace have found great success in plucking players from England’s lower leagues, and it appears the south Londoners have only gone and done it again. While he wasn’t one of the Palace stars that found themselves on the scoresheet, Adam Wharton starred for the hosts in the heart of midfield.
Sitting in front of Palace’s imperious backline, the 20-year-old – who joined from Blackburn Rovers in January – continues to prove himself as one of the country’s brightest young talents. Already capped for the England under-21 side, with more performances like this, it won’t be too long before Wharton is called up to the senior side.
Blue Monday highlights major Ten Hag criticism
Two years after Ten Hag took over as United manager and a familiar problem continues to haunt him. On his first visit to the capital with the Red Devils, his side lost 4-0 at Brentford. Fast forward 24 months and what’s changed?
While injuries have ravaged his side, one of the main criticisms levelled at Ten Hag is the lack of progress United have made during his two-year stint. By contrast, Oliver Glasner – who was appointed in February – has been able to get a tune out of an underperforming Crystal Palace side. A masterclass in coaching, one might say.
Protection for goalkeepers apparent again
It’s been a weekend of controversial decisions involving goalkeepers. On Saturday, Bournemouth had a goal ruled out for an adjudged foul on Arsenal shot-stopper David Raya, with Palace the beneficiary of soft referee calls this time around.
While United served up a dire showing in the first half, the Red Devils could’ve drawn level when Casemiro’s header looped over Dean Henderson. The goalkeeper’s blushes were saved though, with referee Jarred Gillett deeming Rasmus Hojlund had crossed the line with his shoulder barge on Henderson. A soft foul? Almost certainly.
