Manchester United’s Inconsistent Season Continues with Surprising Defeat to Crystal Palace
Manchester United’s season has been a tale of inconsistency, with a perplexing 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace following their comfortable 3-0 midweek win over the same opponent.
Erik ten Hag, the United manager, has seen his team suffer four defeats in just seven Premier League matches this season. If they don’t make rapid improvements, their hopes of contending for the title may vanish before Halloween.
How Did Manchester United Perform Against Crystal Palace?
In their midweek encounter, United sealed a victory by scoring three goals within the first 55 minutes. However, they couldn’t replicate that clinical efficiency today. While they dominated possession with 77%, they struggled to capitalize on their chances. Only four shots on target and two missed big opportunities contributed to their downfall.
Ten Hag made some squad rotations and entrusted striker Rasmus Hojlund with the starting role. Unfortunately, the young Dane failed to ignite Old Trafford to victory.
How Did Rasmus Hojlund Fare Against Crystal Palace?
Hojlund had the chance to lead the line, but his impact was limited. Despite playing the full 90 minutes, he managed just 25 touches, which was 12 fewer than goalkeeper Andre Onana’s 37 touches. This indicates his limited influence on the game.
In terms of passing, Hojlund completed only 13 passes, provided just one key pass, and lost possession five times, reflecting his struggles with ball control.
While Hojlund succeeded in all his dribble attempts and had three shot attempts, his failure to find the back of the net might have affected his confidence and let down Ten Hag.
Since his arrival from Atalanta, Hojlund has played only six matches and scored just one goal, which came against Bayern Munich in the Champions League during a 4-3 defeat. In that game, he showcased his aerial prowess, winning 100% of his aerial duels and earning a Sofascore rating of 7.2.
While his Champions League debut hinted at his potential impact for United, his recent performance was disappointing. With a busy schedule ahead, Ten Hag will need Hojlund to contribute more goals to guide the team to success.