After 2 wins and 2 losses in the league, the last 2 results against Southampton and Barnsley were the confidence boosters needed for Ten Hag’s side to try and recover their poor start. While Palace are tougher opponents than the two previous sides, United went into this game looking for revenge after their last trip to Selhurst Park which had produced one of the worst showings under Ten Hag.

As always, if you have any thoughts on Manchester United this season or in this specific game, get in touch with us by leaving a comment, following us on X (@NextGoalWinBlog) or Instagram (@NextGoalWin) and check out our YouTube channel (@NextGoalWinner).

Teams

United started with a different front 3 but based on previous showings, it was understandable that Garnacho-Zirkzee-Amad were given the nod, and Ten Hag went to his bench on 3 occasions looking to get his side the lead. While it wasn’t the clinical performance needed, the squad came away looking resolute from this performance.

For Palace, it was a great showing for former United keeper Henderson, who will have been pleased to keep out his former side. United also limited the opportunities for Palace’s attack with Eze, Nketiah and Mateta all being withdrawn through the game.

Crystal Palace: Henderson, Richards, Guehi, Lacroix, Kamada, Wharton (Sarr 46′), Mitchell, Munoz, Eze (Schlupp 90′), Nketiah (Hughes 66′), Mateta (Lerma 46′)

Subs: Turner, Ward, Clyne, Umeh-Chibueze, Agbinone

Manchester United: Onana, Dalot, Martinez, De Ligt, Mazraoui, Eriksen (Ugarte 76′), Mainoo, Garnacho, Fernandes, Amad (Hojlund 76′), Zirkzee (Rashford 61′)

Subs: Bayindir, Maguire, Evans, Casemiro, Mount, Antony

Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United

In a cagey afternoon at Selhurst Park, Manchester United dominated territory and possession but ultimately left with just a point after a 0–0 stalemate with Crystal Palace. United bossed much of the first half, keeping the ball and orchestrating attacks from deep, but couldn’t find their way through, most notably when Alejandro Garnacho fired a fierce effort against the bar, only for Bruno Fernandes to smash the rebound off the same woodwork. Despite their dominance, the Red Devils were repeatedly denied by a spirited Palace defence and their former goalkeeper, Dean Henderson.

Palace, for their part, showed real resilience under pressure. Henderson made a series of key saves throughout the game, refusing to let United’s pressure tell. In the second half, United thought they had a moment to regret when André Onana, in goal for United, produced a world-class double save: first stopping a low drive from Eddie Nketiah and then leaping up to block Ismaïla Sarr’s follow-up volley. Onana’s reflexes preserved the deadlock and reminded everyone of his quality between the sticks.

United manager Erik ten Hag admitted after the match that his side had missed two very good chances, especially early on, and was left frustrated by the lack of a breakthrough. Still, he praised Onana’s reactions and the composure of his team throughout. For Palace, the draw felt like a hard-earned point: disciplined, well-organised and backed by a goalkeeper determined not to let his former club get the better of him.

Talking Points

Manchester United will feel they let two points slip away at Selhurst Park, having controlled long stretches of the match but failing to convert their chances in a frustrating 0–0 draw. They struck the woodwork twice in one move, forced Dean Henderson into several sharp stops, and spent most of the afternoon camped in Palace’s half. With that level of pressure and the quality of openings created, United should have put the game to bed long before full-time, and the missed opportunities ultimately defined the contest.

What made the stalemate even harder to digest was the contrast to the explosive performance just days earlier, when United thrashed their opponents 7–0 in a midweek cup tie. That emphatic victory had suggested momentum, sharpness, and attacking cohesion were suddenly flowing. Yet at Selhurst Park, those same players found goals impossible to come by. It was a reminder of the unpredictability that has trailed United in recent seasons: capable of brilliance, but still prone to the kind of flat follow-up display that leaves fans wondering which version of the team will show up.

Even so, in the wider context of last season’s struggles, this result wasn’t disastrous. United lost this fixture in the previous campaign and often looked fragile away from home, particularly in tight, physical matches like this one. A clean sheet, a solid defensive display, and a point on the road represent progress, albeit modest, compared to the setbacks of a year ago. While they should have won, they at least avoided the kind of costly defeat that repeatedly undermined them last season.