Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said his side “ate Crystal Palace alive” as they missed a number of big chances in their goalless draw at Selhurst Park in the Premier League.
Fresh from their 7-0 EFL Cup win over Barnsley on Tuesday, Ten Hag’s side cut Palace open at will in a dominant first half.
Alejandro Garnacho, who returned to the starting XI in place of Marcus Rashford, had an early effort tipped round the post, before Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez were denied by the feet of home goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
The visitors continued to pile on the pressure with Garnacho sweeping against the bar after being played in down the left.
The rebound fell for Bruno Fernandes, who was often the orchestrator of all good by the Reds, but his effort bounced off the turf before clipping the top of the bar.
“We should have won. In the first half, we ate them alive,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports.
“The second half it was more in the balance but first half, we should have scored one or two goals.
“The only thing was in the box, that is where the game is always decided. We should be more clinical there.”
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Ten Hag added: “The performance is good, but for a performance you don’t get points. You have to score a goal.”
Palace eventually grew into the half and came closest when Eberechi Eze slotted into the hands of Andre Onana when unmarked on the penalty spot.
The second half was more even. Fernandes curled wide before a Garnacho effort was tipped round the post.
At the other end, Eddie Nketiah had an effort tipped back into danger by Onana, but the rebound was superbly clawed behind by the Reds keeper.
The best chance of the half fell to Eze, though, with the England forward inexcusably missing the target when unmarked from 12 yards.
The video assistant referee also cleared a second-half challenge by Martinez, with the Argentina defender leaving the ground and lunging in two-footed, but no contact was made with Daichi Kamada.
The point leaves United 11th and Palace still winless in 16th.
