Manchester United vs Crystal Palace: 4 players who disappointed for the Red Devils | Premier League 2019/2020

Manchester United lost to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford for the first time since 1989, with goals from Jordan Ayew and Patrick van Aanholt handing the visitors all three points.

Daniel James had grabbed a late equalizer for the Red Devils, but rather than act as an incentive to go for the winner, the home side shockingly conceded a goal with virtually the last kick of the game to cat their club under further aspersions.

Coming off a disappointing draw with Wolves last time out, Manchester United would have been looking to get back to winning ways against a Palace side that was yet to score a goal or pick up three points.

A number of Manchester United players failed to hit the heights expected against Crystal Palace, and in this piece, we shall be highlighting four players who were the most disappointing.

#4 David de Gea

De Gea made an error in the match

David de Gea was a relative spectator for most of the match, as Manchester United's utter dominance of the game and Crystal Palace's deep defending meant that the Spanish international rarely got tested over the course of the 90 minutes.

There was little he could have done about Jordan Ayew's opener, as the 27-year-old was played in on-on-one, and finished expertly, but it was for Patrick Van Aanholt's goal that De Gea would be extremely disappointed for letting slip through him.

Crystal Palace had found themselves on a break after winning possession in midfield, and when van Aanholt found himself in space at the edge of the box, the left-back took a weak shot which though hitting Wan-Bissaka for a deflection should have been saved by David de Gea.

The 28-year-old is a vastly experienced goalkeeper, and some few years ago was considered the best goalkeeper in the world, but the last year has not exactly been the best for the former Atletico Madrid man.

Indeed, his indifferent form saw him lose his starting spot on the international scene to Kepa Arrizabalaga, and De Gea would have been seeking to boost his stock with some impressive displays, but the second goal conceded against Crystal Palace is not one he would look back at too fondly.

#3 Paul Pogba

Pogba was dispossessed in the build-up to the winning goal

Paul Pogba is hands down the best player in Manchester United, and on his day, the French international is absolutely unplayable.

In many ways, the former Juventus man encapsulates everything that is wrong with Manchester United, as Pogba is very much as capable of exhilarating play as he is of exasperation and the problem is that you never know what to expect with him.

This season has been a similar story for the 26-year-old, as he gave an assured display in the opening game against Chelsea then went on to miss a decisive penalty against Wolves in the very next match.

Against Crystal Palace, Pogba for all of his industriousness failed to offer any real initiative, with the Palace midfielders closing him down and stopping him from influencing proceedings.

He, however, showed great strength and determination to win back possession in the buildup to Daniel James' equalizer, but rather than build on that, Pogba once again fell into bad habits.

A constant criticism of the World Cup winner's game is that he hoards possession and tries to do too much, and this much was evident when late into the game with United pushing for an equalizer, Pogba was guilty of dilly-dallying with the ball which led to him being dispossessed en route Palace grabbing their winner.

#2 Marcus Rashford

Rashford missed a penalty

In the aftermath of Pogba's penalty miss against Wolves last week, social media was sent into meltdown over the Frenchman's poor record from the spot, with many suggesting that Rashford is a more ideal penalty taker for Manchester United.

The 22-year-old had shown ice nerves to bury a last-minute penalty to send United through at the expense of PSG in the Champions League, while he also scored from the spot on the opening day of the season against Chelsea.

In light of the furor raised, head coach Solskjaer came out to state that henceforth, Rashford would be Manchester United's designated penalty taker.

Against Palace, Marcus Rashford did not do too much, as Martin Kelly stuck to him closely to ensure he had no space to influence proceedings, but the England international had his chance when the referee pointed to the spot in the 70th minute for a foul on McTominnay.

Given the huge trust reposed in him, it was expected that Rashford would bury the ball in the back of the net to draw United level, but rather shockingly, he saw his spot-kick rattle out off the post to leave the question of who United's best penalty taker open for debate.

#1 Jesse Lingaard

Jesse Lingard has not assisted or scored for Manchester United in 2019

Jesse Lingard has not been involved in a goal since December last year, with his four-goal contribution in the last month of 2018 being the only time he has assisted or scored for Manchester United since the start of last season.

This is a poor return for a regular at Manchester United and England, especially seeing as the 26-year-old occupies the much celebrated 'number 10 role' in Solskjaer's team.

Against Crystal Palace, Lingard once more started from the onset, and in keeping up with his disappointing performances over the last few years, the Manchester United academy graduate absolutely failed to make any meaningful contribution in the game.

He was unsurprisingly hauled off for youngster Mason Greenwood in the 56th minute, and Lingard would have been the first to admit that he was nothing more than a spectator for his entire spell on the field.