Manchester United v Crystal Palace - Premier League result as Jean-Philippe Mateta brace sinks hosts

A brace by Jean-Philippe Mateta continued Manchester United's Premier League misery at Old Trafford as Crystal Palace emerged with a 2-0 victory on Sunday.

It was United's fifth home defeat in their last six league matches on home soil, as they slip back to 13th in the table, with Palace leapfrogging them into 12th.

Ruben Amorim made the intriguing decision to start Kobbie Mainoo as a striker ahead of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, and it nearly yielded immediate results as the England midfielder struck a post early on.

But United's early effervescence soon fizzled out, as Palace began to find their feet, and they threatened through Tyrick Mitchell before Mateta also went close. And the second half continued in a similar vein, though this time Palace found a finishing touch.

Mateta then showcased exactly the type of forward play which United are lacking, as he slammed home an opener on the hour mark, set-pieces once again proving United's undoing as the French striker hoovered up from yards out after Maxence Lacroix headed off the crossbar from a free-kick.

United's afternoon went from bad to worse as defender Lisandro Martinez was stretchered off 10 minutes from time, after his foot got stuck in the turf amid a challenge with Ismaila Sarr causing a knee issue.

And Mateta compounded the hosts' misery as he ensured all three points would head back to south London, dispatching his second just a minute from time after being teed up by an excellent Daniel Munoz cross.

United welcome another break from their league schedule as they host Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday, before travelling to mid-table rivals Tottenham a week later.

Palace 'keeper Deaan Henderson spoke to BBC Match of the Day after the full-time whistle, and hailed the resilience of his defence.

"They are loads better from the start of the season," Henderson said. "We had new players come in and the positions have evolved. They've been fantastic and they made my day easy.

"Obviously it is nice to come back and get the win [at Old Trafford] but more importantly to get the three points and keep climbing up the table."

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The victory at Old Trafford extended Palace's fantastic run on the road, having not suffered defeat away from home in the Premier League since October.

Jean-Philippe Mateta said the players are well in-tune with manager Oliver Glasner's style.

"We know how they play with the new manager, we worked on a plan during the week and we stuck to the plan. We listened to the gaffer and worked hard and I think we deserve this win.

"I just put my head down and worked hard and I think sometimes when you do that, you get the reward."

Coming off the back of three straight wins in all competitions, and buoyed by their passage to the UEFA Europa League last 16, this was really an opportunity for Manchester United to kick-start their 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

But barring an early chance which came crashing off the post, they did not even look to lay a glove on a resilient Palace side, who themselves put in a professional away performance.

Ruben Amorim is clearly trying to find a solution to his side's blunt attack, though utilising Kobbie Mainoo as a makeshift striker was an experiment which did not bare any fruit - with the visitors' frontman taking all the plaudits on a day when he showed exactly what United are missing.

It is now five defeats in United's last six Premier League matches at Old Trafford, and their chances of salvaging anything commendable from the 2024/25 campaign now lie in the FA Cup and Europa League.

But pressure will certainly be building on Amorim - not necessarily with his job on the line just yet - but from a fanbase who are rightfully impatient over consistently impotent displays.

And that, is that! A great performance from Palace, but that won't act as any sort of consolation for United - who simply cannot get their Premier League campaign up-and-running.

They will have to hope for some UEFA Europa League glory this year, as they just don't look up to it domestically.

An almost routine win for Palace, who leapfrog United in the table.

Reaction to come!

But they really cannot create anything clear-cut in front of this staunch Palace defence. We all know how this one is ending, and it certainly won't be gratefully received by the home faithful.

And United will surely throw everything at this now.

THAT MAN AGAIN! Who else? Mateta has sealed it at Old Trafford, and that man cannot be stopped right now.

United fans must surely dread league matches at Old Trafford right now. The record is just horrendous.

A quick break, and Munoz was released down the right. His cross was perfect. and Mateta cleaned up. Three points for Palace, who leapfrog United in the Premier League table.

And two changes for Palace too. Nathaniel Clyne coming on, as well as Adam Wharton, who returns from a lengthy injury lay-off.

United finally have something to gee up the home crowd, as Hughes flicks behind for a corner.

But Fernandes' ball in so poor. Straight into the arms of Henderson, and Palace can regather.

The defender looks emotional as he's carried off on the stretcher with his leg in a brace. Big ovation from United and Palace fans alike.

Matthijs de Ligt will come on in his place.

Replays show Martinez's foot was stuck in the turf, and seems to have done something nasty to his knee.

The stretchers are on, so he will certainly not continue today.

Sarr bursts past Martinez, but it adjudged to have fouled the defender in the process.

The Argentinian, meanwhile, is down for a prolonged period. Looks in some pain with his knee - getting treatment as we speak.

The Utd captain and Amad combining well, and the midfielder dances around a few challenges but can't quite fashion the space for a strike.

Mazraoui and Mainoo off, Hojlund and Zirkzee off.

Amad goes to wing-back.

Ultimately, the Mainoo-striker experiment didn't really work, despite him looking bright in the opening exchanges.

The nifty forward just schooled the United midfield and defence as he went on a dazzling run from his own half, selling the hosts with dummies and neat footwork.

He gets into the box and just about runs out of steam, but United couldn't lay a glove on him there.

Amorim preparing changes, meanwhile. Hojlund and Zirkzee getting ready.

Oh my! It's that man again. Five goals in five for Mateta, and Palace are ahead!

Set-pieces once again United's undoing, as Lacroix rises really well to head a lofted free-kick against the crossbar.

And Mateta is there doing what all good strikers must - hoovering up from yards out to give the visitors the lead.

More Old Trafford woes for United? It certainly seems so.

Fernandes picks up a yellow card in the aftermath.

And there is that change. Eze for Kamada.

The England international is set to come on shortly, and that will be a worry for the hosts with the scoreline finely poised.

Similarly to in that first half, Palace beginning to find their feet 15 minutes in.