Man Utd 1-2 Crystal Palace: 5 Talking points as United suffer their first loss of the season to the Eagles in their 3rd match of the Premier League.
A win, a draw and a loss. Manchester United are on a free fall and it was on full display today. Many theorised that the Chelsea match masked how frail this United side was and today’s performance proves it.
Also read: David De Gea blunder costs Manchester United the match against Crystal Palace
United started the game brilliantly and put the Eagles on the backfoot right from the start. However, they failed to convert the multiple chances they created. Crystal Palace breached United’s barrier with their first shot on goal and United played the entire match trailing.
United equalised in the 89th minute and for a while the sky was blue once again. However, the clouds of grey smirked at Old Trafford once more when a howler by David De Gea ensured that Crystal Palace would go on to beat United for the first time in the Premier League.
Solskjaer and his boys have a lot to mull over and will hope to turn things around, lest they find themselves in the same position they did last season when a string of wins was followed by consecutive losses near the end of the league.
Here are the 5 talking points from the Man Utd 1-2 Crystal Palace match today
Solskjaer’s tactics
Solskjaer has been playing a 4-2-3-1 formation this season. This allows United to play with two wingers and an attacking mid-fielder behind Anthony Martial. However, with Lingard severely out of touch, perhaps United could bring one player behind and revert to a 4-3-3, beefing their midfield in the process.
Pogba and McTominay have done well so far but having someone like Matic behind them could give the two the freedom to make plays in the front, especially Pogba who can very easily combine with either of Rashford, James or Martial in the front.
Another point to note is Solksjaer’s delay in bringing in Juan Mata. In the brief moment the Spaniard was out there, he looked threatening and could have been bought in early as United were chasing a goal. Sometimes it’s the little things and if the Norwegian can find the perfect balance in his team, it would go a long way in their fortunes.
Penalty Woes
United could have come home victorious in the game against Wolverhampton and could have equalised a lot earlier today if only they converted their penalties. It is not often you get a spot kick from the 18-yard box. It is even rarer still to miss two consecutive ones.
Last week it was Pogba, today it was Rashford. The young Englishman had his head in the right place. His execution unfortunately failed him. He aimed to place the ball in the corner. However, instead, it hit the post and ricocheted to the goal line and to safety.
It is imperative that Solskjaer instills confidence in his player and not take the responsibility away from him next match. Playing musical chairs will only lead to decadence of morale in the players. Rashford may have a good head on his shoulders but he is still a young player who will need guidance when the chips are down. To know that he has the manager’s backing will definitely spur him to raise his game.
Poor Passing in the final third
The socre card read Man Utd 1-2 Crystal Palace. However, Manchester United enjoyed a whopping 72% of the possession. They made 553 passes with an accuracy of 85%. This resulted in 22 shots! How many were on target you ask? 3. The same as Crystal Palace who only managed a paltry 5 shots!
This just goes to show how nervy Manchester United were in the final third. This is a reflection of their inability to play under pressure. Crystal Palace do not boast of a fortress as their backline. This is the same team that was beaten 1-0 by Sheffield United last weekend. However, Manchester United played like they were up against the likes of Juventus.
They stumbled and fumbled every time they reached their opponents third. The passing was horrible and the finishing was best left forgotten. Solskjaer parted ways with Lukaku and decided to place his trust in the players he has now. His players must now come good on that faith or this could end up being a very long season for the Red Devils.
David De Gea’s form a worry
Manchester United have been chasing David De Gea’s signatures for a while now. The Spanish shot stopper has been United’s number one goalkeeper for a long time now. United are hoping to keep him on another long-term contract. Salary has been the major stumbling block in the negotiations. However, with performances like this, United have to ask themselves if the keeper is worth all the trouble.
There is no doubt that De Gea is second to none on his day. However, his days have now come few and far apart. De Gea was terribly out of form last season and it doesn’t look like he’s regained it this season. David will have to pull his socks. As the captain and one of the most experienced players in the side, De Gea simply cannot afford to make as many blunders as he currently does.
You are either with the side or you’re not. De Gea needs to make his mind. Sign the papers and focus on what is happening on the field. You can buy an entire backline consisting of the most expensive players but it will mean nothing if your keeper lets in sitters.
Manchester United quick to drop shoulders
A defining signature of the great Manchester United’s teams of the past was their fighting spirit. United could be losing 1-0 or 10-0, the players would still play every minute like they still had a chance to win. Solskjaer’s men on the other hand looked defeated the moment the first goal was conceded.
Marcus Rashford looked like he had given up in the first half itself. Paul Pogba was decent but he failed to inspire the players around him. Only Daniel James looked like he wanted to play. However, wasting time on the touchline after scoring the equaliser in the dying minutes just shows the mindset of this team. United don’t mind drawing so long as it means that they don’t lose which is a backward way of thinking.
This was a problem that plagued United last season as well. As long as they were winning the spirits were high. The moment they started losing, they failed to reverse the results because this team does not thrive under pressure. Instead they crumble and fall apart.
James can be forgiven for he is young but to be champions you have to think like one. Play to win until the whistle blows. Solskjaer should know that, he was part of the historic Manchester United side that won the treble in 1999 after all.
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