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Manchester United were inspired to a brilliant comeback against Crystal Palace on Monday. The team overturned a 2-0 deficit at Selhurst Park in a swashbuckling encounter with end to end action.
Palace led at the half-time whistle and doubled their lead in the opening minutes of the second half. Chris Smalling pulled one back for the team and Romelu Lukaku equalised. Courtesy of Nemanja Matic's 30-yard screamer in the 91st minute, United secured all three points.
While the fans were busy celebrating yet another 'Fergie time' style comeback, some pundits were not impressed with the team's overall efforts.
United looked vulnerable till the 50th minute against a religation threatened side and could have easily dropped a couple of points.
That said, here is a look at the problem areas exposed by Crystal Palace in the star studded Red Devil's first eleven;
#3 Centre-back
United have been looking shaky at the back. In no way do they appear to be the team with a typical "Jose defence". Eric Bailly's and Marcos Rojo's absence has turned this defence leaky.
Faced with opposition who fancy their chances on the ball, the back-line of United seem vulnerable.
Against Newcastle and Crystal Palace, they continuously carried a nervousness in their centre-back pairing though United dominated possession. Such nervousness is always exploited by lower level oppositions who thrive on the little chances they get.
Chris Smalling showed too much respect to Christian Benteke which eventually led to Palace's opening goal. Victor Lindelof appeared to be bull-dozed by Roy Hudgson's men. Thanks to De Gea, yet again, for keeping United into the game, saving a thumping header from the Belgian striker.
United face Liverpool next in the league. The attacking trio of Liverpool are sure to pose a serious threat to Jose's men.
#2 Right-back
Antonio Valencia has been a stand-out performer in United's back-four, featuring regularly at the right-back. The player is probably the team's best defender at the moment.
However, the stock of the Ecuadorian is falling substantially at the Theater of Dreams as he approaches his 33rd birthday in August. Valencia appears to be rusty and weary at the moment.
The demands of the EPL and fixture congestion appear to hinder his performances. Jose has managed the player brilliantly by keeping a strong check on his game time.
The defender was barely used in the mid-week fixtures by the manager till December. United need to find a player who can promise them three games in seven days more often.
Against Palace, Valencia was partly at fault for the second goal conceded as he could not track his runner from the free-kick. He was taken off to give the team more aggression.
With just a few playing years left under his belt, United should invest in a young player who can then be mentored by the 32 year old.
#1 Right-wing
Alexis Sanchez's arrival at the club was pegged to be a turning point in United's season. However, that appears not to be going as planned for Jose Mourinho.
The former Arsenal forward prefers to play on the left-wing where the team has candidates like Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. Jose tryed to bring in a player on the right during the summer, but that didnt work out.
Alexis was expected to solve the problem for the manager but the player is yet to feature on that flank. Jose has started Lingard, Mata and even Martial at the right but not Alexis. Clearly, the Portuguese does not want to play a man being paid £500,000 a week, 'out of position'.
Juan Mata is not the proper winger Jose needs. While Jesse Lingard has excelled majorly playing as a 10. Alexis started on the left against Palace with Lingard on the right of a 4-3-3 formation.
The 29 year old shifted to a much central role against Palace in the second half. Had it not been for his performance in the second-half, he would have been the team's worst player on the pitch at the final whistle.
Jose has clearly stated that he would not be investing a penny in forwards this summer. It remains to be seen if he is forced to buy one ultimately.
