Following back to back wins after the international break, Erik ten Hag’s men were back at the ground where they produced one of last season’s worst performances. However, United were coming up against a Palace side who have struggled this season, and the visitors were firmly on top for the majority of the first half.
The first big chance arrived after Joshua Zirkzee played Alejandro Garnacho through on goal, but the Argentine was denied by ex-United stopper Dean Henderson. The Palace goalkeeper was on top-form as minutes later he denied Matthijs de Ligt’s header from point-blank range, somehow saving the ball with his feet.
The Red Devils would have been left frustrated not to go into the half-time break with a goal but once again Henderson denied Garnacho after Zirkzee’s flick-on from a Bruno Fernandes cross.
Despite United’s domination with the ball, Palace always posed a danger on the counterattack, with Eberechi Eze posing the biggest threat. The latter had a great opportunity to net before the interval but a tame effort was comfortably gathered by André Onana.
Clearly unsatisfied with their first half performance, Oliver Glasner made a double switch ahead of the restart, introducing Ismaïla Sarr and Jefferson Lerma. Sarr almost instantly linked up with Eze, whose effort was blocked but an encouraging spell lifted the home crowd.
United very quickly regained control of the contest and Fernandes almost broke the deadlock with an effort from the edge of the box, but his shot was always spinning the wrong side of the post.
No doubt frustrated at his players failing to make their domination count, Ten Hag brought on Marcus Rashford with the hope that the English forward could continue his goal streak.
Palace almost snuck an opener however, as Onana pulled off a quick double save, first denying Eddie Nketiah, and then getting up to react to Sarr’s rebound. Palace on the up and Eze was next to miss for the home side after being teed up by Sarr.
The Eagles were outraged when David Coote showed Lisandro Martínez a yellow, despite Palace adamant it should have been a red for a strong challenge on Daichi Kamada. In the end, neither side was able to find a winning goal, and Palace picked up their third point of the season following a third successive draw.
United meanwhile, will be left frustrated not to claim all three points in a dominant performance, with their conversion of chances once again their downfall.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)
