Manchester United missed Fernandes in their high-scoring loss to Crystal Palace. The 0:4 result is clearly behind coach Ten Hagem

Crystal Palace played Manchester United and won 4:0. The Eagles won their fourth win in their last five games and are making their way up the table at the last minute. Erik ten Hag did not have Bruno Fernandes available, which was duly reflected, the Dutchman is once again under pressure from the media with the defeat.

Bruno Fernandes is the key

Manchester United’s midfield looked like a body without a soul. This statement is indeed not too far from the truth, the soul of the team was missing. Bruno Fernandes was missing from Erik ten Hag’s nomination due to health issues and it took a toll on the game.

The central trio of Mainoo-Eriksen-Mount did not play well at all. Although Mainoo was constantly trying to think of something, he was always on the move, but the Englishman’s inexperience and sometimes hasty solutions to situations caught up with him. You wouldn’t even know the other two players were on the field if they weren’t written in the lineup.

Most of United’s action usually just goes through Fernandes, who possesses composure on the ball, and most importantly is a very creative type of player.

Well, creativity is exactly the quality that United’s players lacked heading into the Crystal Palace game. Once Ten Haga’s selection got past the half, it resulted in a few passes near the touchline and then came the loss of the ball.

Wan Bissaka can’t play on the left side

The Red Devils defence started with (from right) Dalot-Evans-Casemiro-Wan Bissaka. And the first half showed that it simply can’t work. However, Ten Hag did not decide to react and the defense finished the game with this formation.

Aaron Wan Bissaka certainly has excellent defensive skills in one-on-one duels. However, towards the attack he has nothing to offer the team, his centres don’t find their target in most cases. Moreover, the Englishman started on the left despite not using his left foot.

At the half-time break, in retrospect, there should have been a clear swap of outlying defenders, as Dalot can use both feet to create action.

Hojlund cut off

Match after match, Rasmus Hojlund is living the same story over and over again. The Danish cannonballer moves very well in the whitewash, but he doesn’t receive any passes, and in some games the commentators don’t even mention him on the ball.

The Dane lacks service from his teammates, in the game against Crystal Palace not a single usable centre came into the opponent’s penalty area. The frustration of not only him, but the whole team is slowly reaching unbearable levels.

Source: Premier League