Manchester United 1-2 Crystal Palace: Five Talking Points | Premier League 2019-20

#2 United weak on two very important fronts - at the back and in the final third

Ayew scored the opening goal thanks to a gift from Manchester United's defense

Harry Maguire's addition was supposed to make United's back line a formidable one. Take yesterday's first goal, it was too easy for Schlupp to beat Lindelof in the air, with both Wan-Bissaka and Maguire terribly caught out of position. Maguire especially, must have no excuses for not tracking back when one CB was out of position himself.

The second goal was also a loose one to concede. Crystal Palace were just allowed to break by United's defense without much of an effort. Zaha rammed through Wan-Bissaka and the loose ball was left uncleared, which fell to a certain van Aanholt.

Besides the goal, it proved to be too easy for Zaha and Ayew to get through the line, and it most certainly could have been 2-0 before half-time for Crystal Palace.

In the final third, it was evident from stats. 22 shots and just three on target; the only time United got a fair opening through the defense was Daniel James' goal and when McTominay sailed through the defenders before being pulled down.

There was no linkup play on display for the majority of the time and it was just set-piece/cross bombardment by United.