Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer let down by three players in Crystal Palace draw

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Manchester United saw their hopes of finishing in the Premier League top four dealt a blow on Wednesday night as Crystal Palace held them to a goalless draw at Selhurst Park. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were flat throughout the showdown. So Express Sport will look at the Red Devils’ three most disappointing players.

Bruno Fernandes

Obviously, United would be in an even worse position had they not signed Bruno Fernandes in January 2020.

But the Portugal international looked jaded throughout the contest against Palace and, worryingly, hasn’t been his usual self in recent weeks.

Fernandes has now gone three games without a goal or assist, having clocked up a combined nine in his previous six matches.

It’s a concern because, if he continues to toil, they may struggle to qualify for the Champions League.

And that, for Solskjaer, would definitely spell trouble.

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Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford is another player who has been consistent for United this term.

The England international has scored 18 times across all competitions but, like Fernandes, was poor against Palace.

The 23-year-old seemed leggy and in need of a rest, something Solskjaer probably knows but didn’t want to risk.

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Rashford is undoubtedly United’s future.

But, if he’s to live up to the club’s expectations of him, then he’ll need to perform against sides like this.

Mason Greenwood

Last season, Mason Greenwood scored 17 goals across all competitions.

But he’s found the net just once in the Premier League this term and that, certainly, should worry Solskjaer’s side.

The England international recently signed a new contract because the club believe in him and think he’ll go right to the very top.

Yet if he is to do that, he’ll need to rediscover his best form – and fast.

We could have feasibly gone with Edinson Cavani too but, given he’s just returned from injury, that would be a tad harsh.

What Solskjaer said afterwards

Speaking after the game, Solskjaer admitted his United side had to find a spark and that his side’s recent failure to find the net after three goalless draws was ‘a bit of a worry’.

“Of course you are not happy if you don’t create enough chances to win a game,” said the 48-year-old.

“It’s been a week with no goals and sometimes three games without scoring sounds like a lot.

“It’s a bit of a worry but because we play every few days I know the boys are giving everything. Attitude and approach I’m very happy with but the quality we need to get back to what we know we can do.

“The tempo was missing, once in a while it happens. It wasn’t one of our best nights, that’s for sure.

“Roy Hodgson always sets his teams up to be really hard to play against and it just showed again tonight. We just have to find a spark again, the quality again and try and win the games.”

What Hodgson said afterwards

Speaking after the game, Roy Hodgson hailed the result as ‘excellent’.

“It’s an excellent point. Every time you play Manchester United, you know it will be a difficult game,” he said.

“They’ve spent an awful lot of money to put a quality team together. We limited their chances to relatively few. If anyone said to you before you’ll draw 0-0 against Manchester United I’d be delighted with it.

“You have to be Burnley to get those plaudits. We’re one of the few teams in the league to make a profit in the transfer market in the time I’ve been here and we were against a team who have spent half a billion pounds. They’re entitled to have a better team. But I’m very proud.

“We didn’t just keep them at bay, we asked them questions.”

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