Manchester United‘s clash against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw, with the Red Devils struggling to capitalize on their chances. The game was marked by a spectacular double-save from Andre Onana, reminiscent of David Raya’s heroics, as United’s attack floundered in front of goal. The draw leaves Erik ten Hag’s side pondering missed opportunities, while Crystal Palace celebrated a gritty defensive display that secured them a valuable point.
First Half: Dominance Without a Finish
United started the game with intent, controlling possession and probing the Palace defense. Early on, Alejandro Garnacho found himself in prime scoring positions, but his finishing lacked the necessary precision. His first miss came when he skewed a shot wide, and the second—arguably the best chance of the match—saw him strike the crossbar from close range. The rebound fell kindly to Bruno Fernandes, but the Portuguese playmaker could only find the woodwork as well.
Palace, for their part, struggled to create meaningful chances. However, whenever they did manage to push forward, United’s defense, led by Matthijs de Ligt, stood firm. In fact, Dean Henderson, standing in goal for Palace, was forced into action, denying both Joshua Zirkzee and De Ligt in quick succession to keep the score level.
Second Half: Onana’s Moment of Brilliance
The second half mirrored the first in terms of United’s dominance, but again, the cutting edge was missing. Palace continued to frustrate the visitors with a deep defensive line, marshaled well by Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen. United’s forwards—Garnacho, Fernandes, and Marcus Rashford—grew increasingly frustrated, as chance after chance went begging.
Then came the defining moment of the match. In a rare Palace counterattack, Eddie Nketiah broke through United’s defense, forcing Onana into action. The Cameroonian goalkeeper pulled off a stunning save to deny Nketiah, only for the ball to fall at the feet of Ismaila Sarr. With the goal seemingly at his mercy, Sarr unleashed a shot, but Onana sprang to his feet and produced an even more astonishing save to deny Palace a late winner.
Key Player Performances:
- Andre Onana – 9/10
Onana was undoubtedly the standout performer, pulling off a save-of-the-season contender with his double stop. He showed excellent reflexes, positioning, and composure in the crucial moments, ensuring United came away with a point. - Alejandro Garnacho – 6/10
Garnacho was lively throughout, finding pockets of space and stretching the Palace defense. However, his finishing let him down, particularly in the first half where he missed two golden opportunities. It was a frustrating day for the young star. - Bruno Fernandes – 6/10
The Portuguese international had a mixed performance. He was involved in much of United’s build-up play but failed to convert his one clear chance, hitting the woodwork in the first half. His creativity was on display, but the end product was missing. - Dean Henderson – 7/10
Henderson, facing his former club, was solid in goal for Palace. His saves from Zirkzee and de Ligt kept Palace in the game, and he marshaled his defense well throughout the 90 minutes. - Eddie Nketiah – 5/10
Nketiah had a quiet game and struggled to break through United’s defense. His best chance came late in the second half, but he was thwarted by a fantastic save from Onana.
Crystal Palace’s Resilient Defense
Palace’s defensive effort was a masterclass in organization and resilience. Despite United’s dominance in possession and chance creation, Palace never buckled under pressure. Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen were rock-solid at the back, limiting United’s clear-cut opportunities. Palace’s midfield, led by Cheick Doucoure, also put in a gritty shift, providing the necessary cover to protect their backline.
Manchester United’s Lack of Cutting Edge
For all their possession and chances, United lacked the clinical touch to turn their dominance into a victory. Erik ten Hag’s men enjoyed the lion’s share of the ball, but their failure to convert chances—especially in the first half—ultimately cost them two points. Garnacho, Fernandes, and Rashford will look back at this match with frustration, knowing that this was an opportunity missed.
Despite the draw, United’s defense was largely untroubled apart from the late scare. Onana’s heroics will be remembered, but the team will need to be more ruthless if they want to climb the Premier League table.
FAQs
Manchester United dominated the game but were unable to find a breakthrough, with key chances missed by Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes. They settled for a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park.
Andre Onana was the standout player with his incredible double save in the second half, preventing Palace from taking a late lead.
The match ended in a 0-0 draw.
Crystal Palace put in a resilient defensive display, with Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen leading a solid backline effort that frustrated United’s attackers.
United will need to sharpen their finishing as they look ahead to their next Premier League fixture, aiming to secure maximum points and climb the table.
Conclusion: A Point Won or Two Dropped?
While United’s performance will be viewed as two points dropped, Palace deserves credit for their resilient defense and opportunistic counterattacks. Andre Onana was the standout player, earning his team a point with a jaw-dropping double save. United’s inability to finish their chances, however, remains a concern for Erik ten Hag, and this result serves as a reminder that dominance means little without goals.
For Palace, it’s a hard-earned point that will boost their confidence as they continue their Premier League campaign. Roy Hodgson will be pleased with his side’s defensive discipline and the fact that they managed to hold a team of United’s caliber to a draw.
