Sluggish Manchester United escaped defeat at Selhurst by @Komptrolla

Sluggish Manchester United escaped defeat at Selhurst

It was a game of pace vs intelligence at Selhurst Park as Manchester United visited Crystal Palace in the EPL. The pace of Yanick Bolasie, Wilfred Zaha and Dwight Gayle were up against the intelligence of Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and Daley Blind and it was the former that excelled.

Manchester United could easily have lost on the day. Right from the blast of the whistle, the Eagles were all over United as Yanick Bolasie struck the woodwork early on before David DeGea tipped over from a Scott Dann header off a Yohan Cabaye corner. Manchester United then started growing into the game.

Wayne Rooney went from brilliance to mediocrity, after seeing his fine free kick palmed over by Wayne Hennessy, the England striker then dilly dallied when put through on goal by a spectacular pass from Anthony Martial and was dispossessed. Crystal Palace kept threatening with pace and United will thank DeGea and some immaturity from the fleet footed Palace forwards.

In the second half, Darmian and Schweinsterggar were hauled off for Ashley Young and Marouanne Fellaini as United looked to steal something. The Eagles defended resolutely and kept hitting the visitors on the break. Manchester United were clearly bereft of ideas as they relied on long balls to Fellaini but to no effect. Bolasie headed wide in the closing stages when it appeared easier to score.

The point means Palace earned their second clean sheet of the season while Manchester United dropped precious points to go four points behind Arsenal and their noisy neighbors.

CSKA is next for United in the UCL where a win is the only option as they sit third in the group.