Manchester United suffered another humiliating home defeat on Sunday when Crystal Palace won 2-0 at Old Trafford.
Jean Philippe-Mateta was Palace’s hero, scoring both goals in the second half as United suffered their sixth defeat in six home league games.
United’s three consecutive wins had raised the mood around Old Trafford, but Ruben Amorim was back to square one following another home performance devoid of imagination and littered with defensive blunders.
Amorim’s choice to start without a natural striker backfired, as both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee were left on the bench.
Kobbie Mainoo, a midfielder, started as a centre forward after scoring in a 2-0 win over Romanian side FCSB in midweek.
The England international’s scuffed shot came back off the post in United’s finest attempt at a bright opening before their offensive threat faded.
Palace have lost only one of their last seven league games, bouncing back after a poor start to the season.
For the opening hour, the visitors missed Eberechi Eze’s creative spark, as an injury limited his availability to a cameo appearance off the bench.
Eze’s free kick caused Maxence Lacroix’s header to bounce off the bar and into Mateta’s path, resulting in a goal.
Unfortunately for United, Lisandro Martinez was stretchered off with a serious knee injury.
