Five takeaways from Crystal Palace’s loss at Manchester United – ruthless streak missing, Marriner has moments of hesitation and Schlupp shows up

Adam Sells provides his five takeaways from Crystal Palace’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United yesterday.

NEW BOYS BENCHED

Despite the call for reinforcements throughout January, Palace started February with their two new signings – Naouiou Ahamada and Albert Sambi Lokonga – on the bench.

With the transfer window closing four days earlier, it was a surprise to see that Patrick Vieira include two goalkeepers in his list of substitutes.

The Eagles were missing Nathan Ferguson, Joel Ward, Joachim Andersen, James McArthur and the mercurial Wilfried Zaha through injury and did not include David Ozoh, who made his debut in the final moments of the previous game.

With so many of the best young players on loan, there is little that can be added to bolster ranks when five or more players are missing.

Neither of new boys had much time to make an impression during the closing stages, though Ahamada made a decent driving run into the box during the final minutes.

DEJA VU?

 Just as in the corresponding fixture at Selhurst Park last month, Palace finished the game in the ascendency having been on the back foot for the most part.

The pattern of the previous encounter was replicated as the visitors seemed to cause many of their own problems, losing possession in their own half cheaply on occasions. Manchester United were in control, though without turning their supremacy in the first period into an unassailable lead.

Just as in South London, Palace perhaps afforded United too much respect and when they began to pass the ball forwards with purpose the Eagles were a match for their hosts.

Palace really turned the screw after Casemiro’s sending off but some poor decisions in the final third meant it was not to be.

The victory at Bournemouth on New Year’s Eve is Palace’s only win in the past 10 games in all competitions and the gap between the bottom three is now six points.

RUTHLESS STREAK MISSING

The final pass or finish was the Achilles’ heel again and you couldn’t help but think that Palace let a point slip through their fingers.

The Eagles scored in open play for the first time in three months, once they were able to get bodies around the front players during the second half, but the trend is certainly a huge worry.

The club opted not to bring a striker in during the January window and chance conversion was again the reason Palace returned home pointless.

Odsonne Edouard looked tentative when one on one with Lisandro Martinez and Jean-Philippe Mateta again failed to make his considerable presence felt. The former wasted a couple of decent opportunities and Mateta spurned a great chance late on.

Both central defenders, Mark Guehi and Chris Richards, were guilty too as they spurned clear headers from corners.

Boss Vieira’s frustration was clear after the game, declaring that his team must start scoring more goals.

SCHLUPP SHOWED UP

Jeffrey Schlupp has been a target of criticism in recent months and the Ghanian has struggled for form this term. Schlupp has shown himself to be very decent finisher and has chipped in with some valuable goals since arriving in SE25. This was evident again on Saturday afternoon and it was some consolation to see him back on the goalscoring trail.

Aside of diverting home Cheick Doucoure’s second-half shot, Schlupp was at the hub of Palace’s best moments.

Vieira opted to use him on the left-hand side in Zaha’s absence and he certainly provided thrust. His driving runs were a real highlight as Palace gained a foothold in the game.

With goals at a premium of late, a few more between now and the end of May will be most welcome.

MARRINER ALL AT SEA

Andre Marriner is arguably the best referee in the Premier League but both managers were frustrated with his performance at Old Trafford. Vieira refused to point-blank refused to answer post-match questions about him and he had good reason to feel aggrieved.

After the melee midway through the second half, which saw United reduced to ten men, there seemed to be some huge moments of hesitation from the experienced official.

Vieira threw his arms in the air when Marriner stopped a Palace counter attack late in the second half after the ref caught Bruno Fernandes accidentally in almost comical fashion.

Fernandes remained prone and after initially playing on, Marriner blew his whistle, only for the Portuguese midfielder to find his feet without requiring any treatment.

Marriner seemed to be on the end of Vieira’s ‘treatment’ after the final whistle.