Crystal Palace Dominates Manchester United with 4-0 Victory
Crystal Palace triumphed 4-0 over Manchester United, plunging Erik ten Hag’s tenure into uncertainty.
Michael Olise’s brace, alongside goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell, underscored the Eagles’ resurgence under Oliver Glasner’s management.
Manchester United might miss out on Europe the next season after suffering a crushing 4-0 loss at Crystal Palace, which dropped the Red Devils to eighth place in the Premier League. Following goals from Tyrick Mitchell and the highly effective Jean-Philippe Mateta, the Eagles are continuing their comeback since Oliver Glasner was appointed manager with two more goals from Michael Olise. Erik ten Hag’s second season in command at Old Trafford is ending badly, and it may be time for a change of leadership.
“I’ll never give up, and I did everything in my power to get the squad ready. I have to accept responsibility for that because it was simply not good enough, Ten Hag stated.
From 1989–1990, United has only missed one season of European action.
Following a seventh-place result in David Moyes’ lone season ten years prior, the Scot was fired with four games remaining in the season.
Although United has never finished lower than seventh in the Premier League’s history, they are facing that prospect this Sunday when title-chasing Arsenal visit Old Trafford.
Ten Hag has frequently blamed his team’s difficulties on injury issues.
Casemiro and 36-year-old Jonny Evans filled in for the injured Dutchman at center-back, forcing the manager to improvise a lineup.
Bruno Fernandes, the captain, was also not there, ending his illustrious record of never missing a club game because of injury.
Ten Hag continued, “We have major (injury) problems all season.” “We’ve only lost four times in 2024, so that’s not that many, and each time we faced significant difficulties. While we usually figure things out, today we didn’t.”
However, there was little justification for the lack of resolve or skill displayed by a United team that had only defeated relegated Sheffield United in their previous seven Premier League games.
Palace has won their previous five games as Glasner, the former manager of Eintracht Frankfurt, sees his dream come together.
“First half we didn’t play as well as we could but we were very efficient,” stated Glasner.
“We made adjustments at halftime, and the second half was far better. Much improved game management, more opportunities produced, and well-executed goals.”
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If the South London club want to achieve even more success under the Austrian coach in the upcoming season, they will need to fend off interest in Olise and Eberechi Eze.
Olise demonstrated why United, Manchester City, and Chelsea were interested in him by slipping past Andre Onana and through the midst of the visiting team’s defense.
Although United was unfortunate not to draw level against the flow of play, they were unable to manage even a single shot on goal in the first half.
After Rasmus Hojlund collided with Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson and was given a heavy penalty for a push, Casemiro’s looping header found its way into the net.
However, Palace’s lead at halftime was only justified by two goals.
Under Glasner, Mateta has undergone a metamorphosis. He easily slipped past Evans, who had a lead foot, to score his ninth goal in 11 games.
After the interval, United did not respond, which might have been the last straw for the club’s new management team when it came to Ten Hag’s future.
United was exposed from a set-piece as Mitchell scored a rare goal from close range.
Then, onana was unprepared for the force of Olise’s blow that soared over the Cameroonian.
With the defeat, United’s goal differential dropped to -3, illustrating the team’s dismal season overall for the 20-time English champions.
If Ten Hag manages to stay in command until May 25th, the FA Cup final versus Manchester City presents him with one more chance for atonement.
On the other hand, this data will make United supporters fear that double-chasing City might turn into a wild party at Wembley, delivering the ultimate humiliation.