MANCHESTER UNITED were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace as they missed a flurry of first-half chances.
The Red Devils travelled to Selhurst Park on the back of two morale-boosting victories.
Erik ten Hag was left frustrated as Man Utd drew 0-0 at Crystal Palace
United missed a flurry of chances as in-form Marcus Rashford was left out of the starting XI
They first beat Southampton 3-0 at St Mary’s last weekend.
And in the week United thrashed Barnsley 7-0 in the Carabao Cup.
Erik ten Hag stunned fans this afternoon when he left Marcus Rashford out of his starting XI.
The forward had scored three goals in the previous two games. And Rashford got his chance to impress as he came off the bench in the second half.
He was unable to have an effect, though, as United found it difficult to build on their first-half showing.
In fact, Eberechi Eze had the finest opportunity of the match when he went through on goal, but he missed.
But as the match came to a deadlock, who was United’s finest player?
And did anyone have a game to forget?
Here, we delivers his Man Utd player ratings…
ANDRE ONANA – 8
Had one save to make just before half time – a comfortable one from Eberechi Eze.
And then, a worldie double save to keep out Eddie Nketiah and Ismaila Sarr, rivalling the one made by Arsenal’s David Raya in mid-week.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 7
One of United’s most consistent performers who continues to impress week by week. Strong in the tackle and great positioning to stop Palace counters.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 7
Lost an early duel with Jean-Philippe Mateta which put the Frenchman in but it was pulled back for a foul. Blamed his boots and changed them moments later.
Unlucky with a brilliant header from a corner that was somehow kept out by Dean Henderson and made a superb last-ditch tackle to stop Eze in the second half.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 6
Another player who came close to scoring but for the brilliance of Henderson, swivelling and turning in the six-yard box with a stabbed effort.
Lucky not to be sent off for a ridiculous two-footed lunge that narrowly avoided contact with Daichi Kamada.
DIOGO DALOT – 7
Played as a left winger for most of the first half, such was United’s dominance.
Brilliant pick out only for Garnacho to hit the crossbar.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 7
Covered ground well and linked defence with attack. Drifted forward more in the second half without seriously threatening.
An insane Cruyff piece of skill in the second half was worth the admission fee alone.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6
Kept things ticking over and picked some nice passes at times but his lack of pace and physicality was evident.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 7
Tenacious in ensuring Palace’s midfield could not get a foothold in the game and grazed the top of the bar with a volley into the ground just before the half hour mark.
Was United’s most creative player on the ball and should have had one goal to his name at least.
AMAD DIALLO – 6
Showed glimpses with some darting runs but never possessing the intent and aggression to force anything meaningful from it.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 7
Had a personal battle with Henderson, one that he ultimately lost.
Early chance to show it was the right call to start ahead of Marcus Rashford squandered – put through by Zirkzee but 1v1 effort palmed away by Henderson.
Smacked the bar in a similar position from Dalot’s through ball and came close to knocking one in from close range.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 6
Linked up well with Garnacho, dropping deep and slipping the winger in that should have led to the opener. Headed wide from a Diallo corner just before the break.
Rightly subbed off on the hour mark as his influence waned.
SUBS:
MARCUS RASHFORD (ZIRKZEE, 61) – 6
Did very little to convince Erik Ten Hag to throw him back into the starting XI, but was barely given the service either.
MANUEL UGARTE (ERIKSEN, 76) – 6
United certainly appear calmer and more solid with him at the base of their midfield.
RASMUS HOJLUND (DIALLO, 76) – 6
Still getting minutes back into his legs after returning from injury, but this is one of his more forgettable cameos.