Manchester United vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Premier League result as hosts lose at Old Trafford again
Manchester United 0-2 Crystal Palace: Ruben Amorim’s experiment failed as the Eagles won at Old Trafford for the second season in a row
Manchester United spectacularly failed to win back-to-back Premier League games for the first time under Ruben Amorim as Crystal Palace secured an away victory at Old Trafford for the second season in a row thanks to a second-half double from Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Mateta pounced from two yards after Maxence Lacroix struck the crossbar with a header from Eberechi Eze’s free-kick, and the Frenchman doubled Palace’s lead in the 90th minute as Daniel Munoz squared to him for a simple finish after a swift counter-attack
It earned the Eagles a third win over United in their last four games and the result also took Oliver Glasner’s side into 12th, above United in the table.
Amorim experimented with a striker-less line-up, benching both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, as Kobbie Mainoo led the line. Although United started brightly, with Mainoo hitting the post, the plan did not work and Palace grew into the game.
Mateta, who went close in the first half when Andre Onana got a hand to his chip past the post, proved to be the central presence for Palace that United lacked and was in the right place to tap in from two yards after Lacroix’s header hit the crossbar.
United were rocked by the sight of Lisandro Martinez being stretchered off after appearing to twist his knee, before Mateta doubled Palace’s lead to the delight of the away fans in the corner of Old Trafford. Follow all the reaction and re-live the action below
Manchester United 0-1 Crystal Palace
78 mins: A stretcher has been called for Martinez. A big blow for Amorim and a sight no one wants to see as Martinez receives treatment.
Manchester United 0-1 Crystal Palace
76 mins: United make a mess of things down the left and lose the ball. Palace play forward to Sarr. Martinez holds him off but goes down, holding his knee.
This is a worry for United. Martinez’s knee buckled from underneath him and he is down in real pain.
Manchester United 0-1 Crystal Palace
73 mins: Hughes had the chance to slip in Munoz down the Palace right, with the visitors looking comfortable and confident. But a couple of minutes later Hughes is booked for bringing down Hojlund.
Fernandes sets up Amad on the edge of the box but the winger blazes over.
Manchester United 0-1 Crystal Palace
69 mins: Double change from Amorim; after staring with no strikers, he sends on both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee. Off come Mainoo and Mazraoui. The false-nine did not work.
Manchester United 0-1 Crystal Palace
67 mins: A Crystal Palace goal that can't come as a surprise, and not merely because of their excellent recent record against United. They have been the better team on the day. United may note, too, the advantages of fielding a specialist striker as Mateta showed the instinct to appear six yards from goal to score.
Manchester United 0-1 Crystal Palace
66 mins: United wanted a foul on Yoro but the defending was poor at the back post. Fernandes was booked for his protests.
GOAL! Manchester United 0-1 Crystal Palace (MATETA 64')
Eze has made an immediate difference and plays a free-kick into Lacroix. The defender brushes aside Yoro and heads onto the bar, with Onana beaten. Mateta is waiting on the spot to tap into the empty net!
Palace lead!
GOAL! Manchester United 0-1 Crystal Palace (MATETA 64')
WOW! Breakthrough at Old Trafford and it’s Mateta with the finish! United’s players are furious!
Manchester United 0-0 Crystal Palace
59 mins: Almost a calamity for United as Maguire clears into Munoz and the rebound whistles past Onana’s post, with the goalkeeper stranded.
Eze is preparing to come on for Palace.
Manchester United 0-0 Crystal Palace
56 mins: United have made a bright start to the second half, with shots from Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte. Each required a fine save - but from Dean Henderson, a former United keeper. Perhaps it will shape up as a today when they have reasons to regret selling him.
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