Erik ten Hag returns to crisis zone as boos greet Man Utd defeat by Palace
Erik ten Hag’s world came crashing down again as Roy Hodgson did a number on Manchester United once more.
The veteran former England boss became the first manager ever to go five games without losing at Old Trafford as his Palace stars held on for a big victory after their 3-0 EFL Cup defeat in midweek. After strides forward with two wins in a week for United, this latest blow plunged Ten Hag and frustrated fans back into despair with a fourth League defeat in seven games.
United are currently plagued by injuries, inconsistency and mediocrity all over the pitch and here again they were woefully below par. Defeats in a stadium that was once a fortress are now so commonplace perhaps it wasn’t a shock that Palace shrugged off their cup loss and inflicted yet more misery on Ten Hag’s stuttering stars.
More final whistle boos greeted another home defeat for Ten Hag. But for Palace there was only joy as their fans celebrated victory triggered by a gutsy display and a wonder goal from Danish defender Joachim Andersen.
And until this United team starts to show some cohesive power and menace on a consistent basis ten Hag will never be far away from this kind of calamity. After their forward step, this was the chance for United to build some momentum with winnable games against Brentford and Sheffield United on the horizon before treble-winning neighbours Manchester City arrive at the end of October.
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Instead United looked sloppy, lacked any real spark and were deservedly punished for their approach when they fell behind after 26 minutes. Palace hadn’t scored a first half goal all season but Andersen’s rocket of a volley was worth the wait.
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Sofyan Amrabat, again playing at left back, had already cost Casemiro a booking with a loose pass when he fouled Ayew on the touchline. Eze delivered the free kick which skimmed off Hojlund’s head into the path of Andersen who produced a brilliant first time volleyed finish high past Andre Onana.
It wasn’t the first time Palace had threatened with another defender, Marc Guehi, flashing an earlier header just wide with United’s defence again looking shaky and vulnerable. Instead of tearing into the game on the back of new found momentum, United were passive and the first half slipped away with nothing more than half chances for Hojlund and Casemiro to excite home fans.
Predictably, after harsh half-time words from Ten Hag his side upped the tempo after the break. And former United keeper Sam Johnstone kept the Palace lead intact with fine saves from a Fernandes scorcher and a close range Hojlund header.
The arrival of Alejandro Garnacho after an hour gave United some missing penetration and zip and the Argentinian youngster almost found an equaliser in the dying moments but United’s late blitz was repelled by Palace.
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