Manchester United managed to end their run of three games without a win or a goal by beating Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, thanks to goals from Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini.
Crystal Palace came into the game mirroring United’s form as both teams looked to get back to winning ways, as the Premier League winds down. The game started in expected fashion as United dominated possession and Palace sat back looking to replicate the same tactics that saw United falter in their last three games.
The only real chance of the first half came when Ashley Young beat Ward on the left-wing and his cross was handled by Scott Dann, the Palace defender appearing to lean in to the ball with his arm before the referee pointed to the spot. After the failings of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, it was Mata who stepped up to take the spot-kick and the accuracy of his placed shot was enough to beat Julian Speroni to his right.
Mata’s goal was really the only major chance of the first half, but it still ended in disappointment for United as Luke Shaw was hit with an accidental elbow – which drew blood and led to the defender being withdrawn on a stretcher. Louis van Gaal confirmed after the match that he had been taken to hospital, but was optimistic that he would recover quickly, commenting: “I don’t think it shall be very bad.”
Rooney also received a knock during the first half and was substituted at the start of the second period of play for Radamel Falcao, but again van Gaal was sure that he’d return for the Arsenal clash, claiming: “Next week he shall be fit and ready to play.”
The second half started in different fashion to the first, as Palace came sprinting out of the blocks. The newly-introduced Jason Puncheon dictated their attack and their constant pressure eventually paid off. As a Puncheon free-kick took a nick off of Daley Blind in the United wall, the ball sailed past David de Gea to secure an equaliser.
Palace’s domination continued as both Puncheon and Yannick Bolasie were causing United problems out wide, and they had a chance to go ahead when the ball came to Glenn Murray in the box. Trying to knock the ball pastde Gea, but a phenomenal save at close range kept the score level.
Van Gaal praised the importance of de Gea’s save after the match claiming: “David de Gea has made great saves several times this season, I am very happy he saved from Murray because at the time it could have been 2-1 for Crystal Palace.”
Ashley Young was United’s main outlet throughout the game, terrorising Joel Ward across 90 minutes. Ultimately, it was through him in which United managed to take the lead again. An excellent delivery into the box caused panic as Speroni came to clear, but failed to get anywhere near the ball, leaving Marouane Fellaini to nod home into an empty net.
United looked to end the game in a resoloute fashion, but it was Murray again who knocked the ball around the substitute Paddy McNair and struck the ball on the volley only to be again thwarted by the heroics of de Gea.
A win in this difficult game sees United edge so close to finishing in the top four and a Liverpool loss at Stamford Bridge tomorrow will confirm that. The players and manager were jubilant to come through this match victorious, praising the team spirit organisation after the match. The Red Devils can now look forward to the massive clash next weekend against Arsenal in which they will be adamant to rectify their loss at their hands in the FA Cup quarter-final.
Comments.
Loading comments…