Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United: Player ratings

Oliver Glasner’s side were dismal in the first half but considerably improved after the break to ensure a point remained in South London. 

Both sides had chances to win it, albeit it would have been a steal if Palace walked away with three points.

Post-match, the Palace boss shared that he “had some clear words at half time, switching the mindset”. 

Here’s our player ratings from Saturday’s goalless draw. 

Dean Henderson - 8/10

Well, hero comes to mind. Frankly, if it were not for Henderson, Palace fans would be wallowing in the despair of defeat.

United should have been out of sight by half time, Palace afforded the Red Devils far too much space and far too many chances, but whenever the Eagles were exploited, Henderson swept in to save the day. 

The former Manchester United keeper produced a tremendous save at full stretch to push Alejandro Garnacho’s goal-bound shot around the post. Seconds later, the 27-year-old was called into action again, denying Matthijs de Ligt from a corner. 

Palace’s 27-year-old shot-stopper made seven saves against Manchester United; the most by a Crystal Palace goalkeeper in a Premier League match without conceding since Vicente Guaita v Newcastle in January 2023 (Opta). 

Tyrick Mitchell - 7/10 

As always, a defensively superb performance. Rarely beaten and pivotal to keeping the clean sheet. 

Going forward, Mitchell’s reluctance to take players on is frustrating. The Englishman’s crosses are is major positive with his attacking play, which was once again on show today when the wing-back played a well-timed cross to Eberechi Eze. 

Chris Richards - 6/10 

Gave the ball away too much in the first half, but, as with the rest of the backline, he massively grew into the game. 

A clean sheet and solid defensive numbers - including the most amount of tackles in the game. 

A respectable performance.

Marc Guehi - 6/10 

Had a heart-in-mouth moment in the first half when he misread the path of the ball, United were in, and if it was not for Maxence Lacroix’s exceptional recovery pace then the Red Devils would have taken the lead. 

Otherwise solid on the ball, while making pivotal recoveries and clearances.

Maxence Lacroix - 6.5/10

Impressive showing. Growing into life in a red and blue shirt. Sometimes reluctant to put a tackle in after shutting players down, but on the whole he defended well. In recent years, Palace have lacked a defender who is capable in the air, Lacroix seems as though he could fill that void. 

Bailed Guehi out of trouble to keep Palace in the game. Encouraging. 

Daniel Munoz - 6/10 

Munoz took to his increased defensive responsibilities well, making five clearances and four recoveries. 

During the first half, the Colombian was Palace’s sole expansive outlet, which made their attacks to predictable. 

Adam Wharton - 5/10

An unusual off day for Wharton. He was caught in possession facing his own goal after just ten minutes, United raced towards goal, but the Palace midfielder got away with one. 

Wharton’s passing was often miscued, while Manchester United overran Palace’s midfield duo.

The England international has been struggling with his fitness in recent weeks and that was clear in his display at Selhurst Park. 

Glasner pragmatically withdrew the 20-year-old at half time. 

Daichi Kamada - 5.5/10 

Mixed bag. Gave the ball away a lot, but the defensive side of his game has improved from previous showings. 

Played an excellent pass in the build-up to Eberechi Eze’s baffling miss, although the Japanese international has rarely produced that kind of incision in a Palace shirt. 

Eddie Nketiah - 6.5/10 

Promising performance. Made a beautiful darting run across the pitch to carve an opening for Eze. 

Whenever he picks up the ball he tries to make things happen. Andre Onana produced an excellent stop from range to deny Nketiah his first Premier League goal for Palace. 

Would probably be better suited to being the number nine rather than the right-sided ten.

Eberechi Eze - 6/10 

Oh Ebs, if only you buried it. Deep into the second half Palace moved the ball excellently. Sarr’s pass fell to Eze - who else would you want 10 yards from goal - he hit it, he had to score, but his effort trickled wide of the post.

You have to wonder, if he went across the goal rather than trying to bend it into the tight angle of the corner, could it have been a different result? 

Besides his gutting miss, Eze did not have enough of an impact on the game, failing to offer the creative spark his side were desperate for. 

Jean-Philippe Mateta - 4/10

Boom boom boom boom, was Mateta even in the room? 

Palace’s forward was pulled off at half time after failing to provide any threat to the Manchester United backline. 

Yes, the service was rarely there, but Mateta was not offering anything to Palace’s all-round performance. A poor display. 

Substitutes

Ismaila Sarr (45min for Mateta) - 6.5/10 

Made a difference, his pace provided the exact threat Palace have been lacking in recent weeks.

Onana produced a respectable save to deny him from a matter of yards. Linked up well with Kamada to set up a wonderful chance for Eze. 

Sarr was the spark Palace have been missing, he must start against Everton. 

Jefferson Lerma (45min for Wharton) - 6/10

Provided much more coherence to Palace’s midfield. The Eagles seemed a much more solid unit with the Colombian in the middle of the park. 

Will Hughes (66min for Nketiah) - 6/10

Increased the solidity in the midfield as Palace kept hold of a well-earned point. 

Jeffery Schlupp (90min for Eze) - N/A

Had a slight glimpse with not long left on the clock. Did not have time to make an impact.