Manchester United have endured another season to forget in the Premier League and their injury-ravaged squad did little to prevent the team from suffering defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday night.
Bruno Fernandes was the latest Red Devil to succumb to fitness problems, leaving a patched-up midfield and defense at a loss in the face of an aggressive and united Eagles side.
Having so many players out injured is hardly ideal, but those who were fit enough to play dishonored themselves and their increasingly disheveled manager, Erik ten Hag, who offered little more than a stony expression on the sidelines.
It finished 4-0, with Palace exploiting United’s obvious weaknesses with two goals in the first 45 minutes.
Michael Olise dribbled past Casemiro and struck home from the edge of the box before Jean-Philippe Mateta ran past Jonny Evans and scored at the near post.
The Red Devils once again lacked any visible identity, made worse by the fact that Palace boss Oliver Glasner only took over in February. Casemiro failed to show any leadership qualities or bring any of his vast experience to bear in one of his worst games, while Jonny Evans seemed incredibly unfit for the game after a month out.
Understandably, Man Utd fans expressed some scathing assessments at half-time.
Yes, United come eighth. You’re done
– Scott Saunders (@__scottsaunders) May 6, 2024
By the way, this is the absolute best thing for United. Since European income cannot be relied upon, they MUST force change. Reduce the wage bill, move players who were only there for European football and start again.
– Scott Saunders (@__scottsaunders) May 6, 2024
Onana makes Pickford look like Mr. Tickle
— Paul Gaskell (@pgaskell13) May 6, 2024
I reckon Casemiro could be the first player in Barclays history to get away with a seam tonight.
– Macca (@The_Paris_Angel) May 6, 2024
We would be really close to the relegation zone if it weren’t for a few moments of “individual brilliance”.
This is the worst thing I’ve ever experienced since this club. And it’s not that the players are downing their tools, we’re just a terrible team, with or without injuries.
– Cain Smith (@cainsmithMU) May 6, 2024
Glasner has been there for a week and you can already see an identity compared to Ten Hags two years ago, but there is still a man defending him
– Faysal (@elfayz_) May 6, 2024
Absolutely terrible first half @ManUtd. Hardly a redeeming feature. Overplayed. Had the ball in the net, but it was hardly given.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) May 6, 2024
I have to give credit where it’s due. Given this goal, ETH has definitely adjusted its tactics. We went from a donut midfield to a donut back four
— 💟Ole was right, Esq. (hostile) (@ole_was_right) May 6, 2024
United are incredibly lucky to be in the top six all season. This creates a false impression of how good they supposedly are. Ten Hag wasn’t trying to a) solidify a clear style or b) stop the bleeding. Hasn’t even come close to achieving either.
– Sean Walsh (@SeanDZWalsh) May 6, 2024
Ten Hag went back to the visitors’ dressing room at half-time, hoping to strengthen his troops – perhaps with the help of the famous goal Football manager line’Good luck boys!’ – but his words had no effect as Palace scored two more goals in the second half.
Tyrick Mitchell was difficult to convert from close range before Olise added another goal from distance, awkwardly taking goalkeeper Andre Onana out of position.
If things were bad when the score was 2-0, it was completely chaotic when the score was 4-0.
You can point out many things about United that you would say need to be changed, but in my opinion Onana was an absolute disaster in every way.
– Scott Saunders (@__scottsaunders) May 6, 2024
This is an absolute insertion. It really feels like the end of days.
– Scott Saunders (@__scottsaunders) May 6, 2024
“Teach me your ways” 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/ZMVNMFJXC6
— 90 Minutes (@90min_Football) May 6, 2024
I can’t stress this enough – Man United were miserable in the first 60 minutes of this game. Palace took their chances and won important blocks in the middle of the pitch, but the defense on the away side was chaotic #CPFC
— Edmund Brack (@EdmundBrack) May 6, 2024
Where on earth does this new low leave Ten Hag? The Dutchman has done little to impress new investors Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe may have been nervous to see his new club sink to such lows.
If Arsenal are next in line, how long will Ten Hag stay at Old Trafford?
I wonder if Erik ten Hag will still be in charge at this point until the end of the season. Manchester United’s next three games are not going to be easy and the FA Cup final against Man City already looks like their last chance to get to Europe. Good luck with that 🫣
— Quentin Gesp (@quentin_gesp) May 6, 2024
If Sir Jim Ratcliffe thought Old Trafford was a shabby disgrace, just wait until he looks at the football team.
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) May 6, 2024
CRYSTAL PALACE DESTROYED MANCHESTER UNITED 4-0 AT SELHURST PARK. 🤯
How does Ten Hag get out of this difficult situation? 👀 pic.twitter.com/0JWRzVEruB
— 90 Minutes (@90min_Football) May 6, 2024
Although…maybe…just maybe…they win at Arsenal next week? That is Manchester United After all, we’re talking about it, right?
Man United will be struggling tonight and then beat Arsenal 3-2 on Sunday thanks to a Bruno Fernandes penalty and a 92nd minute winner from Antony.
Tell us we’re not wrong.
– Football Ramble (@FootballRamble) May 6, 2024