Manchester United Triumph Over Crystal Palace At Old Trafford

On 21 September 2024, Manchester United faced off against Crystal Palace in a league away match at Old Trafford, kicking off at 10:00 am. The match concluded with Manchester United securing a 0-0 draw, leaving both teams with a point but not quite the result they aimed for.

Utilising a 4-2-3-1 formation, Manchester United deployed a solid defensive line and a dynamic midfield. Andre Onana anchored the goal, with Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot stationed as right and left defenders respectively. The central defensive partnership of Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez provided stability at the back. In front of them, the central midfield duo of Christian Eriksen and Kobbie Mainoo looked to control the tempo of the game. Ahead of the midfield, Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho flanked Bruno Fernandes, who operated as the attacking midfielder, while Joshua Zirkzee led the line as the striker.

The substitutes available for Manchester United were Marcus Rashford, Manuel Ugarte, and Rasmus Højlund, who could potentially make an impact as the match progressed.

The first half saw both teams striving for an advantage, but despite their efforts, neither could find the back of the net. Alejandro Garnacho received a yellow card in the 36th minute, a moment that reflected the intensity of the game as both sides battled for dominance. As the half drew to a close, the referee signalled for half time at the 45-minute mark, with the score still level at 0-0.

The second half began with Manchester United looking to turn the tide in their favour. In the 61st minute, a substitution was made as Marcus Rashford came on for Joshua Zirkzee, a tactical change aiming to inject fresh energy into the attack. Shortly after, in the 63rd minute, Lisandro Martinez received a yellow card, adding to the tension on the pitch.

The match progressed with further substitutions in the 76th minute when both Manuel Ugarte and Rasmus Højlund entered the fray, replacing Christian Eriksen and Amad Diallo respectively. These changes were indicative of United's intent to bolster their midfield presence and add attacking options as they sought a winning goal.

As the match reached its conclusion, Crystal Palace held firm, ensuring that Manchester United could not capitalize on their home advantage. Despite the opportunities created, both teams ultimately left the pitch with a point apiece, a reflection of a closely contested encounter at Old Trafford.