Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United: Five things noticed, including two standout performers

Manchester United drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace in an incredibly frustrating game for Erik ten Hag’s men.

The first half saw United dominate the game in a fashion that fans have been crying out for, but frustratingly could not find the net.

The second half was much of the same, with Erik ten Hag’s side getting more and more opportunities whilst displaying some beautiful football in the process, but they once again simply couldn’t get the ball past Henderson.

Here are five talking points UtdDistrict picked up on:

#1: This is beginning to look more like a Ten Hag team

Had the execution been better, United could have been 5-0 up at half time alone. From the early minutes of the game, United established their dominance and Palace were struggling to cope.

From all angles, United engaged in a total onslaught against the Crystal Palace defence and former United goalkeeper Dean Henderson was what kept the game at 0-0.

What was especially positive was that on top of this, United did not even concede a shot until the final minutes of the half, not just being a fantastic performance in possession. This highlighted a real improvement on last season.

#2: Matthijs de Ligt’s watch is real, commanding strong United backline

The signing sparked debate, with some wondering whether it was the right allocation of funds to bring Matthijs de Ligt to United over the summer. But he has quickly killed all doubts.

De Ligt once again brought a really commanding presence to that United backline, barely breaking a sweat when defending and passing the ball very well for United. He came close to scoring from two corners in the first half as well.

Right now, he is one of the best performers in this team and has led a backline which has been much improved in these last couple of league games. With Luke Shaw due to return soon, this will only get better too.

#3: Mainoo with his best performance of the season after rest

To the pleasure of fans, Kobbie Mainoo was given a complete rest against Barnsley in midweek and the impact of that rest was seen today with the 19 year old putting together his best performance of the season.

Mainoo was near-unplayable every time he got the ball, barely losing it at all and putting together some really nice sequences with his teammates. He produced some beautiful moments of individual brilliance when in tight spaces too.

This season is a big one for the teenager, and by the end of it he could well be recognised as one of the best midfielders in the world despite his young age.

#4: Set pieces are starting to look much better

A key part of the game, in recent years these have been a bit of a weakness for United but so far this season they are starting to look like a real strength.

Andreas Georgson, who joined at the end of July as United’s set piece coach, has made a quick impact with United looking much stronger off set pieces so far and routines being clear.

The addition of Matthijs de Ligt has also helped United in this area, with the Dutchman winning a large number of headers, but Joshua Zirkzee nearly scored from the back post in the first half too in a chance identical to the two United had. If those chances turn to goals, it’s yet another United improvement.

#5: Poor execution lets United down once again

For all the good there was in the performance, at the end of the day United failed at the business end once again and that’s been a common theme this season.

The processes are looking better and better on the pitch for United, but they will only go so far if United continue failing to find the back of the net.