Ten Hag treated to first-hand look at shambolic United
WITH around five minutes to go, the Manchester United fans burst into life as the scoreline from the Etihad filtered through.
Manchester City’s dramatic comeback had wrecked Liverpool’s hopes of equalling United’s record total of 20 topflight titles and finally they had something to celebrate.
That is how sorry this season has been for United — only the failings of others providing anything like a silver lining.
The final day of the season, then, was in keeping with all that had gone before.
With new manager Erik ten Hag watching on, it ended in yet another defeat devoid of any signs of hope at Crystal Palace.
But thanks to West Ham’s defeat at Brighton, United were able to salvage a Europa League spot rather than a Europa Conference League place from this season to forget.
Just in case Ten Hag was in any doubt about the size of the task ahead this first-hand look would have confirmed it and United’s many flaws.
That United could not even muster a performance in the presence of Ten Hag was another indication of how disjointed a side they have become.
Outgoing interim Ralf Rangnick has repeatedly outlined the recruitment issues that have left United in this dismal state so there was something fitting about Wilfried Zaha being the player to end his reign on a losing note.
Zaha was mishandled and quickly discarded at United before returning to Palace and he has now inspired them to a creditable 12th-place finish in Patrick Vieira’s debut year.
United’s work in the transfer market is just one of many areas that will require drastic improvement under Ten Hag.
Who he gets rid of will be just as important as who he brings in.
United goalkeeper David de Gea said: ‘Ones who want to stay, stay at the club. Ones that don’t want to stay go out. You don’t have to stay here.
‘The new manager and staff are looking for new players. Hopefully they bring good ones with good character.’
Rangnick said: ‘There could be more togetherness on the pitch. This is important when we think about new players, that they are not only team players but also players who invest into the team spirit.’
United began with an element of control but as soon as Palace began to show interest, errors and sloppiness became a feature of United’s game.
Bruno Fernandes had been United’s biggest culprit when it came to gifting Palace possession and the pass he attempted before Zaha struck was the most baffling, and costly, of the lot.
Under no pressure from a United throw-in he hooked the ball back in the vague direction of his own goal but only straight to Zaha, who fired past De Gea.
That was all the hosts needed to claim three points and Vieira said afterwards: ‘It’s been a really good season and it was the best way to end.’
CRYSTAL PALACE (4-3-3): Guaita 7; Clyne 7, Andersen 6, Ward 7.5, Mitchell 7; Gallagher 7, Hughes 7 (McArthur 83min), Schlupp 7; Rak-Sakyi 6.5 (Kouyate 67, 6), Zaha 8, Edouard 5 (Eze 78). Scorer: Zaha 37. Booked: Hughes, Edouard. Manager: Patrick Vieira 7.5. MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): De Gea 6; Dalot 6.5 (Garnacho 79), Lindelof 6, Maguire 6, Telles 6; McTominay 5, Fred 6 (Shoretire 75, 6); Elanga 5.5, Fernandes 4, Mejbri 6 (Mata 62, 6); Cavani 5.
Booked: Mejbri, Dalot, Lindelof, Fernandes.
Manager: Ralf Rangnick 5. Referee: Martin Atkinson 7.
Attendance: Not provided.