There was nothing to separate Crystal Palace and Manchester United as the two sides played out a stalemate draw on Saturday afternoon.
Discussions before kick-off centred around Erik ten Hag’s decision to drop Marcus Rashford to the bench – with Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo preferred.
And, in a match with few clear cut chances, it was United’s Garnacho who came closest to breaking the deadlock after crashing an effort off the bar in the first-half.
Palace’s best opportunity, meanwhile, came after the break as Andre Onana produced a stunning double-save to deny Eddie Nketiah and then Ismaila Sarr.
Back in May, Erik ten Hag’s side conceded four goals without reply as questions grew over the Dutchman’s job safety but Saturday’s performance showed the progress his side have made.
Here, Mail Sport’s CHRIS WHEELER provides player ratings from Selhurst Park.
There was nothing to separate Crystal Palace and Manchester United on Saturday afternoon
It was a tense affair at Selhurst Park as the two sides battled it out for all three points
Erik ten Hag (right) opted to drop Marcus Rashford for United’s visit to south London
Crystal Palace
DEAN HENDERSON 8 – Frustrated his old club with two excellent saves from Garnacho and also denied De Ligt, Martinez, and Zirkzee to earn Palace a point.
DANIEL MUNOZ 6 – Lost track of Garnacho a couple of times in the first half and almost paid for it, but tighter in the second half against the Argentina winger and his replacement Rashford.
MAXENCE LACROIX 7 – Stood strong in a Palace defence that managed to frustrate a United side packed full of big-money players.
MARC GUEHI 7 – A steadying presence at the back when United threatened to dominate this game, the Palace skipper is a class act.
CHRIS RICHARDS 6.5 – The third of three centre-backs deployed by Oliver Glasner and did his bit to ensure that United struggled to turn their possession into clear chances.
TYRICK MITCHELL 6.5 – Engaged in an absorbing duel with Amad on the Palace left and just about got the better of the little Ivorian.
EDDIE NKETIAH 6 – Came alive as the first half wore on and was the spark for Palace’s best chance just before the break. Had a great opportunity to beat Onana just before he came off but was denied.
Dean Henderson (right) produced a stunning display to keep United at bay all afternoon
England international Marc Guehi (left) was assured in possession and solid in defence
ADAM WHARTON 5 – Put down a marker with a thumping challenge on Eriksen, but struggled after that and came off at the interval.
DAICHI KAMADA 6 – A little overrun in midfield in the first half but Oliver Glasner made changes at half-time to shore things up and he looked more comfortable in the second period.
JEAN-PHILIPPE MATETA 5 – Monstered United when Palace won 4-0 here in May, but found De Ligt a much tougher proposition at centre-back than Casemiro. Replaced at half-time.
EBERECHI EZE 5 – Palace didn’t create too many chances but the best two fell to him and he fired one straight at Onana and the other wide. He’ll be kicking himself.
Subs: Turner, Ward, Sarr (for Mateta 46, 6.5), Lerma (for Wharton 46, 7) Schlupp (for Eze 90+1), Clyne, Hughes (for Nketiah 66, 6.5), Umeh, Augbinone.
Booked: Henderson, Hughes, Lacroix
Manager: Oliver Glasner 6.5
Adam Wharton (left) put down a marker with a thumping challenge on Eriksen but struggled
Eberechi Eze (middle) failed to capitalise on two brilliant chances against the Red Devils
MAN UTD (4-3-2-1)
ANDRE ONANA 7 – In the week that we celebrated David Raya’s incredible double save for Arsenal in the Champions League, Onana pulled off something similar as he kept out Nketiah’s low drive and then somehow recovered to block Sarr’s follow-up as well. Even more impressive because he had little else to do.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI 6.5 – Keeping Eze quiet is no easy task, but he managed it on the whole and put in another solid display.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT 7 – Scored from a set-piece at Southampton last weekend and went close to another here. Handled Mateta’s threat very well and made a fantastic interception challenge on Eze.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ 6.5 – Defended as well as ever and continues to give United an extra dimension with his passing range from the back. Booked for a two-footed challenge in the second half that Palace claimed should have been a red.
DIOGO DALOT 6 – Still playing out of position on the left and had his hands full with Nketiah, but got forward and his brilliant pass almost led to a goal for Garnacho.
Andre Onana produced a stunning double-save to keep United in the match at Selhurst Park
Kobbie Mainoo was full of energy and ingenuity in the middle of the park for United
KOBBIE MAINOO 7 – Full of energy and ingenuity in the middle of the park for United. Hasn’t been at his best this season but helped Ten Hag’s side boss midfield for long periods.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN 6 – His lack of pace was brutally exposed here in May but he looks better in a more compact United. Didn’t create as much as he would have liked through.
AMAD DIALLO 6 – Drifted in and out of the game a little bit. Took the wrong option at times and didn’t have as much impact as he would have liked.
BRUNO FERNANDES 6.5 – Hit the bar with a follow-up effort in the first half and curled another narrowly wide in the second. United skipper did his best to create opportunities for the team but it came to nothing.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO 6 – Replaced Rashford on the left but couldn’t convert two big chances in the first half, clipping the bar with his second effort.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE 5.5 – Continues to show glimpses but still finding his way at United and may be back on the bench soon now that Hojlund is fit again. Went close with two efforts here.
Alejandro Garnacho came closest to scoring when his effort rattled the crossbar
Joshua Zirkzee struggled to make an impact up top before being replaced by Marcus Rashford
Erik ten Hag’s side suffered a 4-0 defeat in their last visit and will be happy to see progress
Subs: Bayindir, Maguire, Mount, Hojlund (for Amad 76, 6), Rashford (for Zirkzee 61, 6), Casemiro, Antony, Ugarte (for Eriksen 76, 6.5), Evans.
Booked: Garnacho, Martinez
Manager: Erik ten Hag 6
Referee: David Coote 7
Att: 25,172
