Manchester United’s dominance against Crystal Palace proved fruitless as they were held to a 0-0 draw, leaving manager Erik ten Hag frustrated with his team’s inability to convert chances.
The Red Devils, fresh off a 7-0 EFL Cup victory, controlled possession and created numerous opportunities, particularly in the first half. Garnacho, De Ligt, and Martinez all came close to scoring, with Fernandes hitting the woodwork twice.
“We should have won. In the first half, we ate them alive,” lamented Ten Hag. “The only thing was in the box, that is where the game is always decided. We should be more clinical there.”
Palace, initially overwhelmed, grew into the match and had their own chances to snatch a win. Eze missed two clear-cut opportunities, while Sarr was denied by a superb Onana save.
The draw highlights United’s ongoing struggle with converting their dominance into goals, despite boasting the second-highest expected goals (xG) in the league. It also showcased Palace’s resilience, earning them a valuable point despite the absence of key players.
While United welcomed back Rasmus Hojlund from injury, their attacking woes persist. Palace, meanwhile, remain winless but show signs of improvement under Oliver Glasner. The manager acknowledged their lackluster first-half performance but praised their second-half resurgence.
Both teams will need to address their shortcomings in front of goal if they hope to climb the Premier League table. For United, it’s a case of turning dominance into decisive victories, while Palace needs to find a clinical edge to capitalize on their chances.
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