May 22, 2022. Eric ten Haag, newly unveiled as Ralf Rangnick’s successor and Manchester UnitedThe new permanent manager, his first game in charge, and took his seat in the main stand at Selhurst Park to watch the club’s final game of the 2021-22 season.
The starting XI from that day on consisted of a collection of individuals whose confidence had been crippled by a succession of disappointing results, which continued in south London and saw United lose 1-0.
It capped United’s worst Premier League season, in terms of points – the only consolation coming in the form of a full debut for academy graduate Hannibal Mazbry, and Brighton’s 3-1 win over West Ham which ensured United didn’t go down. Seventh in the Premier League table and in the Europa Conference League.
Fast forward 242 days and the Ten Hague era is taking shape. The starting XI from Wednesday’s trip to Selhurst featured just two names from the same game that May (David Day went and Bruno Fernandes):
United have been refreshed and rejuvenated in the last eight months, with five new signings in their line-up at Palace and a mentality that is far from the dejected spirit of the side that ended last season.
Not all problems have been resolved with the team, however, as United dropped two points in injury time, a point underlined. Michael Ollis Curled in an unconverted free kick to claim a 1-1 draw.
Ten Haag was clearly irritated but didn’t complain too much about his team’s overall performance. Last weekend’s victory in the Manchester derby prompted some fans to talk about Sunday’s game. Arsenal As a potential title six-pointer, but this draw at Selhurst Park was a reminder that this United team cannot take anything for granted. Premier League the game There are fewer on-field issues surrounding this team than those affecting the Class of 2022, but some remain.
One is progressing the ball through the third, clear again in the first 20 minutes at Palace. Attempts to build from the back and move into central areas were often thwarted by the Palace midfielder Will HughesThat worked to block the most obvious passes available Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez. With central midfield closing down, United opted to work the ball wide through Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
It was an understandable plan B, made better by recent improvements from their right-back. Against his old club, Wan-Bissa looked most comfortable on the ball in a United shirt, attempting several scoop crosses to the far post for the new striker. Wout Weghorst. The club’s newest recruit was a little out of sync with Bruno Fernandes in the opening minutes of the game, but as the first half developed he occasionally showed glimpses of the “good feet for a big boy” that make him more than a traditional target man.
Weighorst scored the opening goal of the game with a run that caught the attention of many Palace defenders. Christian Erickson Low cross towards Fernandez from the left back. It is the joint of 2023; Scrappy and sometimes slow in possession, but capable of working on goal when needed.
Bruno Fernandes gives United the lead at Selhurst Park (Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Since May 2022, more than £200 million has been spent on revamping the backbone of this team; The new faces are responsible for maintaining and adjusting to the in-game pressure while the old lieutenants are tasked with capitalizing on it.
One of these is a new face CasemiroWhich was again important in stopping the flow of opposition attacks Kick-start before a powerful counter-attack. He is often described as “cement between stones” by his manager, so his 80th minute booking is no surprise. A raw challenge on Wilfred Zaha – his fifth yellow card of the season, which ruled him out of Arsenal’s trip – has sparked outrage.
He was at risk on Wednesday because no player can provide his defensive tenacity, but he can’t be everywhere and perfect in every tackle. He didn’t get help from teammates during the recovery work he enjoys — work that could have kept him away.
Casemiro’s booking ruled him out of Arsenal’s trip (Photo: Justin Satterfield/Getty Images)
Ollis’ equalizer compounded the problem early in stoppage time, but there were danger signs for much of the second half as Palace made more attacks down United’s left, leading to a foul on Shaw. Jeffrey Schlupp.
If United had survived four more minutes, it would have been their 10th win in a row in all competitions. That streak would have been United’s longest winning streak in 14 years, after an 11-match streak under Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Would have been” is not the case with the title challengers, however, and United’s sluggish and often sloppy work during the second half disappointed those who hoped this team could be ahead of schedule in a false “process”. A complaint about a potential penalty for a foul in the 71st minute Scott McTominay United’s manager was also sacked at full time.
“You have to accept the decisions from the VAR, from the referees,” he said. “I look in the mirror, I look at my team, I look at my own management and coaching and then I say invest more for the second goal then you can avoid the situation where you depend on the referee, VAR etc. That’s what we have. What to do.”
United dropped points from Palace as they lacked conviction when trying to win. Ten Hague’s United have come a long way since that dismal day in May, but they remain a work in progress – a team that has weathered every storm and emerged at the other end with three points.
(Top photo: Rob Newell – Camerasport via Getty Images)
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