season on Saturday as Crystal Palace claimed a shock 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
Daniel James appeared to have rescued a late point for Solskjaer’s side when he cancelled out Jordan Ayew’s
opener, but Patrick van Aanholt’s stoppage-time winner earned Palace their first top-flight win over United
in 21 attempts.
There was yet more penalty woe for United too. With Palace leading 1-0, Marcus Rashford was handed an
opportunity to level from the spot when Scott McTominay was tripped by Luka Milivojevic midway
through the second half, but his attempt hit the post.
It was the first failure from the spot of Rashford’s career, coming just five days after he controversially
allowed Paul Pogba to take and miss a penalty in Monday night’s draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Rashford’s blushes might have been spared by James’ 89th-minute equaliser, but in the third minute of
added-on time, David de Gea was unable to contain a near-post Van Aanholt effort.
It was only the second stoppage-time winner to be scored against United in the Premier League era, after
Thierry Henry with Arsenal in January 2007.
While Palace’s long streak of misery in this part of Manchester is over, United and Solskjaer are left to
reconcile themselves with a third defeat in their last five home league matches.
United back to their bad old ways
After two relatively promising performances against Chelsea and Wolves, this was an unwelcome return to
the wasteful and chaotic United witnessed during the final weeks and months of last season.
For the second game running, penalties will be a point of discussion, after Rashford followed Pogba in
missing a crucial kick from the spot, but United risk overlooking over more significant issues.
Despite making far more attempts on goal than their opponents, Solskjaer’s side failed to create much that
could be described as clear-cut. There is still vulnerability through the middle of the pitch and individual
errors, like Victor Lindelof and David de Gea’s for the goals, are far too common.
Big away days suit Palace perfectly
Very few people predicted any sort of result for Palace at the start of the day after last week’s dismal
showing at Bramall Lane. Hodgson’s conservative set-up did not suggest that their wait for a first league
goal of the season would end, either.
But Palace were the only Premier League team to pick up the majority of their points away from home last
season. There were victories at the Etihad and the Emirates, as well as a narrow 4-3 defeat at Anfield and a
goalless draw at Old Trafford.
This is the sort of game which appears to suit Roy Hodgson’s side, who struggle to break down opponents
without space to play into but thrive when more ambitious opponents leave gaps to exploit.