Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United: Eagles fail to take chances

Manchester United failed to score for the third game in a row as they held out for a goalless draw at Crystal Palace.

It was the Eagles who created the better chances in a tight contest at Selhurst Park, with Yannick Bolasie hitting the bar after 11 minutes.

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Yohan Cabaye volleyed wide from close range in the second half before Scott Dann headed just past the post from a corner.

David de Gea also saved from Dwight Gayle, while United offered little attacking threat at the other end.

The goalless draw is United's third in succession after being held by Manchester City last weekend and then failing to score in 120 minutes against Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup in midweek.

And yet again they lacked a cutting edge up front, with Palace creating almost all the opportunities on goal.

Louis van Gaal, who on Friday deflected criticism that his side were boring, made two changes from the derby draw with City as Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind started in place of Ashley Young and Phil Jones.

Wilfried Zaha and Dwight Gayle were among four players brought into the starting XI by Alan Pardew, whose side made the far brighter start.

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Pressing United high up the pitch, they forced an early misplaced pass from Darmian before Bolasie's shot was tipped onto the bar by De Gea after 11 minutes.

The United keeper then kept out a header from Scott Dann as Palace looked to press home their advantage.

But United weathered the early storm without any damage and then started to dominate possession.

Chances were proving hard to create, though, with Wayne Hennessey coming out quickly to prevent Wayne Rooney getting onto Anthony Martial's pass.

Dwight Gayle then missed an opportunity at the other end after clever chest control from Cabaye, before Ander Herrera miscued a shot from Martial's cut-back.

Palace had lost their previous three matches and never beaten United in the Premier League, but they played with more purpose than the visitors after the break.

Zaha and Bolasie looked the most threatening players on the pitch but it was from Joel Ward's cross that Cabaye should have put Palace ahead after 70 minutes, but instead he volleyed wide.

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Dann then went close with a header from a corner before De Gea kept out a shot from Gayle with his legs.

Van Gaal had thrown on Marouane Fellaini and Young in place of Darmian and Bastian Schweinsteiger but still the visitors struggled to create chances.

The closest they came was when another substitute, Jesse Lingard, cut back for Martial, whose shot was blocked by Damien Delaney.

Delaney then failed to get a clean contact on a header at the other end as the game finished goalless.

Soccer Saturday verdict - Charlie Nicholas 

"Manchester United were slightly fortunate to get the 0-0. They had a little period towards the end of the first half where they created a couple of bits and pieces, but nothing exciting.

"I watched the subs coming on and they even looked miserable. Everything is hard work and they have this routine where Rooney starts and he tries to feed himself into the game. He gets very little to work off.

"We know Martial has pace and the talent but he's stuck out on the left and it's like they refuse to budge from the set up. I don't think Louis van Gaal is restricting them that much.

"United are still up there battling away but this is not the Manchester United that we all enjoy."

Player ratings

Crystal Palace: Hennessey (6), Kelly (5), Dann (6), Delaney (6), Ward (6), McArthur (6), Cabaye (6), Zaha (7), Puncheon (6), Bolasie (7), Gayle (5).

Subs: Jedinak (5).

Man Utd: De Gea (6), Darmian (5), Blind (6), Smalling (5), Rojo (6), Schneiderlin (6), Schweinsteiger (5), Herrera (5), Mata (5), Martial (6), Rooney (5).

Subs: Young (5), Lingard (5), Fellaini (5).

Man of the match: Wilfried Zaha.