Manchester United’s poor season continues with a 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace

MANCHESTER – Manchester United’s mini-revival came to a sputtering stop at Old Trafford on Feb 2 with a 2-0 English Premier League defeat by Crystal Palace, thanks to a brace from Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The Red Devils had won two and drawn one of their last four league matches, albeit in unconvincing fashion, so it was no major surprise to see them register their 11th loss in 24 league matches.

Seven of those defeats have come during manager Ruben Amorim’s 13 league matches in charge, since taking over from Erik ten Hag in November. However, United started promisingly at Old Trafford with midfielder Kobbie Mainoo playing as a false No. 9, as the Portuguese opted to leave forward Joshua Zirkzee and striker Rasmus Hojlund on the bench.

A minute after creating a chance for winger Alejandro Garnacho, Mainoo hit the bar after his shot deflected off centre-back Maxence Lacroix. But that was as good as it got for the Red Devils in the first half, as Palace grew into the game.

Midfielder Jefferson Lerma’s through-ball in the 39th minute found striker Mateta in the box, with only a fingertip save by Andre Onana denying him a goal.

United improved marginally at the start of the second half with Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte both testing former Red Devils goalkeeper Dean Henderson in the Palace goal.

But on 64 minutes, the Eagles struck. Substitute Eberechi Eze’s free kick was headed onto the bar by Lacroix, but Mateta reacted quickest to poke home.

As United threw more bodies forward in search of an equaliser, Palace profited from a smart counter-attack a minute from time. Ismaila Sarr’s through-ball found Daniel Munoz, who squared the ball for Mateta to register his second goal of the game and his sixth in his last five league matches.

“We know how they play with the new manager, we worked on a plan during the week and we stuck to the plan. We listened to the gaffer and worked hard. We deserve this win,” said Man-of-the-Match Mateta.

Since the beginning of last season, only Wolverhampton Wanderers (16) have lost more Premier League home games than United (13).

“The result is really bad,” said Amorim, whose side sit in 13th spot in the standings on 29 points, one spot and point below Palace.

“The performance was a little bit better than the last games. We controlled the transitions quite well. We suffered two goals that we can avoid and the injury on Lisandro Martinez was tough for the team...

“We had more possession, more connections, we created chances but we couldn’t score and that was the difference today.”

Also on Feb 2, Tottenham Hotspur ended a seven-match winless run in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, courtesy of an own goal by Vitaly Janelt and a Pape Sarr strike.

Off the pitch, both United and Spurs made moves ahead of the closure of the Premier League transfer window on Feb 3 (Feb 4, Singapore time).

The Red Devils signed 20-year-old Danish left-back Patrick Dorgu from Serie A side Lecce on a contract until 2030. The British media reported the deal was worth €30 million (S$42.3 million), with a further €5 million in performance-related add-ons.

The 20-year-old has impressed over the past two seasons, scoring five goals in 57 appearances for the Italian club, and has four caps for his country.

Dorgu is United’s first major signing of the Amorim era and should solve a lack of options down the left side for the Portuguese, although he can also feature on the right.

Said Dorgu: “I cannot wait to work with Ruben Amorim; his vision for this team and the future of the club is incredibly exciting. There is a clear plan set out for my development, and I feel that Manchester United is the perfect place to fulfil my potential and complete my huge ambitions.”

As the Dane arrives, attacker Marcus Rashford looks set to depart, with widespread reports saying he is set for a check-up ahead of a loan move to Aston Villa.

Borth Dorgu and Ayden Heaven, an England Under-19 defender signed from Arsenal for an undisclosed compensation fee, were unveiled before the Palace game.

Meanwhile, Tottenham added much-needed defensive cover with the signing of centre-back Kevin Danso on loan with an obligation to buy from Lens.

He had been set to join Wolverhampton Wanderers before Spurs swooped to hijack that move late on Feb 1, according to reports.

The 26-year-old Austrian international, who has previously had spells in England with MK Dons and Southampton, will cost a reported €25 million when the transfer is made permanent at the end of the season.

Said Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou: “Kevin will be a great fit for us. Obviously, we’re a bit short at the back and have been for a while. He’s experienced, a good one-on-one defender and new players give us energy.”

Spurs have been dogged by defensive injuries all season and according to reports, AC Milan’s English centre-back Fikayo Tomori turned down a move over the weekend.

Bayern Munich’s French attacker Mathys Tel is also believed to have rejected a move to north London. AFP, REUTERS