Manchester United’s troubles at Old Trafford deepened as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring twice to seal the visitors’ victory.
Despite coming into the match on a three-game winning streak, United failed to build momentum in the Premier League, slumping to their seventh home league defeat of the season.
The result saw Palace leapfrog United into 12th place, as the Red Devils’ hopes of securing European football took another hit.
After a pre-match tribute to the victims of the Munich air disaster, United started brightly, with Kobbie Mainoo, deployed in an unfamiliar central striker role, hitting the post with a deflected effort.
However, Crystal Palace quickly took control, looking more threatening in attack. Defenders Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell both went close before Mateta forced a stunning save from Andre Onana just before halftime.

United’s poor first-half scoring record continued, marking their 18th goalless opening half in 24 league matches this season.
After the break, United showed more urgency, with Dean Henderson—facing his former club—denying Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte. But it was Palace who found the breakthrough in the 64th minute. Maxence Lacroix’s header hit the crossbar, and Mateta reacted quickest to fire home from close range.
United pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but their attack lacked creativity, and Mateta sealed the win in the 89th minute, finishing off a clinical counterattack to send the away fans into celebration.
Adding to United’s woes, Lisandro Martinez was stretchered off in the second half after sustaining a suspected serious knee injury. The Argentine defender was visibly emotional as he left the field, raising concerns over yet another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
New manager Ruben Amorim remains without back-to-back league wins since taking charge in November, a streak that no United boss has endured since Tommy Docherty in 1972-73.
With time running out to salvage the season, United must find solutions fast—or risk missing out on European football altogether.