It really did have that feel after the first 25 minutes where chances aplenty were spurned.

United actually performed their best out of the last three yet it was this match where victory abandoned them.

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Erik ten Hag will be very, very happy with what he saw from his troops with the only thing missing being putting the ball in the back of then net, which is the most important thing of all.

United began the game in control and playing the game at their own pace. This continued until the 70th minute when things began to fizzle out.

But before this, we saw a different United compared to what we've seen in the last few years. Utter dominance in all aspects of the game as MUFC dominated possession, rotated the ball well, progressed up the pitch in a great manner, didn't panic too much, played a high line and created several good opportunities.

However, not taking those opportunities resulted in this deflating 0-0.

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To be fair, Dean Henderson was superb as he of course, turned into prime Iker Casillas against his old club.

He saved shots from Garnacho, De Ligt, Martinez and even one that came of his own defender after a brilliant cross from Bruno Fernandes.

On top of all this, United hit the bar in quick succession as a through ball from Dalot to Garncho saw the Argentine - who (surprisingly) started ahead of Rashford - hit the bar before the rebound found it's way to the MUFC skipper who also hit the bar on the half volley.

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This had the feel that Palace were somehow going to score against the run of play.

Funny you should mention something like that Yuveer because, you know what?

What?

Palace should've scored!

Just before halftime, Eze had one of the best chances of the game as a cutback from Mitchell saw the Palace number 10 in space inside the box only for his shot to be straight at Onana.

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The second half carried on in the fashion of the first as United had more opportunities to get the goal they deserved. Bruno Fernandes with a great chance to score after being played through by Zirkzee.

While Dean Casillas was amazing in one goal, Andre Buffon showed up in the other.

Eddie Nketiah made a great driving run with the ball through United after which he let loose a powerful left-footed shot that Onana had to dive down to make a great save.

But in no time the MUFC shot-stopper was up again to deny Sarr as the Cameroonian made an unbelievable double save.

This kept United in the game as if Palace score that, I'm not sure the away side would've found a way back into it.

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Rashford did eventually come on but as striker in place of Zirkzee. This did not work with ten Hag then bringing on both Ugarte for Eriksen and a returning Rasmus Hojlund for Amad.

These changes didn't work as well except to make United worse.

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Those last 20 minutes showed a side that were fading and frankly, running out of ideas. The Red Devils created nothing of note in that final period and were lucky to not get the sucker punch the other end as Eze once again, found himself free in the box only to put his shot wide when it seemed harder to miss the target than not.

That was that. 2 points dropped for United. 1 point gained for Palace.

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The only thing I felt that Erik ten Hag got wrong today were the substitutions and their timings. Bruno should've come off with Mount coming on or moving Eriksen to CAM and bringing on Ugarte. Rashford should've come on for one of the wingers as both Amad and Garnacho weren't really on it, and Hojlund should've come on for Zirkzee.

Those two later changes by the manager (Ugarte and Hojlund) I believe should've been made earlier as it looked like we were running a little on empty.

All in hindsight I know, but those were the changes I felt needed to be made.

Still though, this was a performance of massive progress, even if it doesn't feel like it. While Palace were crap, ten Hag will be utterly pleased with his side's overall display as all the boxes were ticked.

But that familiar issue of ours of not taking our chances remianed. That has been our major issue this season and is the reason as to why we're not higher up the table.

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Ratings:

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Onana - 7

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Mazraoui - 7

De Ligt - 6.5

Martinez - 6

Dalot - 7 MOTM

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Eriksen - 7

Mainoo - 6

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Amad - 6.5

Bruno - 4

Garnacho - 6.5

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Zirkzee - 6

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Rashford - 6

Ugarte - 6

Hojlund - 6

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Erik ten Hag - 6.5

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Final Thoughts

Honestly, I'm not even angry, just frustrated. I think a lot of us are.

That was a performance that had everything other than the goal and I feel like there was so much progress made in terms of the style of play.

A few weeks ago and definitely last season, we complained about not having a style of play and that we couldn't even create chances like tonight.

Now we did everything but score.

So annoying man. So annoying 😫.

But hopefully ten Hag tells the players that while it may feel like defeat, there is a lot of positives to take from this display as when do we ever play like that against a decent side?

The next step is about doing this consistently and of course, putting the ball in the back of the net.

On to Wednesday.

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Background Image: Andre Onana v Crystal Palace | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)