Crystal Palace held Manchester United to a 0-0 draw in the Premier League as Dean Henderson proved a point against his old team at Selhurst Park. United entered the game as favourites with their new run of form since the international break – beating Southampton and Barnsley 3-0 and 7-0, respectively.
On the other hand, Crystal Palace looked to distance themselves from the relegation zone after failing to win a game in the league so far this season. Both sides will be able to take positives from the game, but the Red Devils will no doubt be more disappointed that they didn’t win.
United created a flurry of big chances early on and saw several more scattered throughout the first half.
Fans of the away side will be familiar with Palace difference maker Henderson. He made several great saves, which meant on another day, they could have been at least three goals up at halftime. First, summer signing Joshua Zirkzee put Alejandro Garnacho through on goal, but his shot was saved. Defenders Mathias De Ligt and Lisandro Martinez also had their efforts narrowly stopped after crosses from Christian Eriksen.
The closest Erik Ten Hag’s team got in the first half was when Garnacho was put through on goal in the 26th minute by Diogo Dalot’s incisive pass. United hit the woodwork twice here, as the Argentinian’s effort was rebounded off the post by Bruno Fernandes, who then hit the bar from the edge of the box.
Crystal Palace’s first half was summed up when a simple pass from midfield went straight between two centre-backs. They were then forced to pass back to the goalkeeper, with Zirkzee looking to take advantage of the lack of precision.
The Eagles’ only real chance of the first half came right at the end – as Ebereche Eze fired a cross straight at the goalkeeper. Oliver Glasner will be much happier with how his side defended in the final 45. Although United remained dominant on the ball, they struggled to create chances and conceded some clear-cut chances on the break.
Eddie Nketiah and Eze got close midway through the second half, with the former forcing a fantastic save from Andre Onana with a low shot from outside the box. The latter shot just wide of the post after some great play by Ismaila Sarr on the right-hand side.
United’s only real chance of the second half was from Fernandes – who struck an outside-of-the-boot effort wide of the post in the 59th minute. With neither team willing to throw everything towards a win towards the end, the game ended goalless.
Therefore, Palace continued its trend of only getting points from draws this season. This one puts them at 16th place in the table. United will be frustrated that it didn’t take this opportunity to build on its recent momentum shift and finish the day on the 11th.