Manchester United’s tactical experiment failed as they were beaten 2-0 by Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. Ruben Amorim made six changes to his side with Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo among those brought into the starting line up. Kobbie Mainoo was deployed in a new role as a false nine, with both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee on the bench.
United started bright and almost took an early lead when Mainoo hit an effort against the post but there was a warning at the other end when Daniel Muñoz headed wide at the back-post for Palace. The visitors grew into the game and went close again through a Tyrick Mitchell shot and wasted the best chance of the first half when Jean-Philippe Mateta chipped an effort just wide of the post.
It was an open start to the second half as United went close when Bruno Fernandes forced a fine stop from Dean Henderson with an effort from the edge of the box and Manuel Ugarte forced another with a volley from a free-kick. Palace always posed a threat though, and finally broke the deadlock when Mateta converted from close range after a Maxence Lacroix header had cannoned off the crossbar.
Things went from bad to worse when defender Lisandro Martinez went down in agony and was forced off with what looked like another serious knee injury. United pushed for a leveler but instead went two goals down when Munoz beat the offside trap and squared the ball to Mateta for a tap-in.
Here is how we rated the players in the defeat:
9. Amad Diallo - 4
A poor performance by recent standards. He was always looking to get on the ball but did little with it. | Getty Images
10. Alejandro Garnacho - 5
The most direct of United's forwards. He took the game to Palace and played with real purpose again. | Manchester United via Getty Images
11. Kobbie Mainoo - 4
A lively start in his new position but his influence faded as the match went on and he dropped much deeper. A tactical switch that failed. | Getty Images
12. Joshua Zirkzee - 4
He was brought on to improve United's attacking threat but he failed to do that and gave the ball away too easily. | Getty Images