Manchester United’s woes deepened with a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace, leaving Erik ten Hag’s side in real danger of missing out on European competition next season.
The loss, which marked United’s most defeats in a Premier League season (13), underscored the extent of the team’s underperformance and prompted scathing criticism from pundits and former players alike.
Despite a string of injuries that has plagued the squad, Ten Hag minced no words in his assessment of the team’s display, labeling it as “by far not good enough.” The combination of an injury crisis and frequent defensive lapses has raised doubts about Ten Hag’s future as United manager, with pressure mounting on new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to address the situation.
Critics have lambasted United’s lackluster performances, with former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher branding them as “one of the most poorly coached teams in the Premier League.” The absence of cohesive play and defensive solidity has been a recurring issue, with Ten Hag’s side conceding late goals in crucial matches.
The defeat at Selhurst Park, which saw United’s expected goals plummet to a season-low of 0.35, highlighted the team’s struggles to find rhythm and consistency on the field. With mounting pressure to secure European qualification, United faces an uphill battle in their remaining fixtures, including a crucial FA Cup final against Manchester City.
In particular, stand-in center-back Casemiro endured a torrid evening, epitomizing United’s defensive frailties. The Brazilian midfielder was repeatedly bypassed by Palace’s attackers, leading to calls for him to reconsider his future at the top level.