Michael Olise works magic for Palace to deepen Manchester United’s misery
Michael Olise scored twice as Crystal Palace thumped Manchester United 4-0 at Selhurst Park. Photograph: Micah Crook/PPAUK/Shutterstock
If Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United remained up for debate then surely this removed any lingering doubts for Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Even amid a season in which his team have lurched from one disaster to another, a scintillating performance from a Crystal Palace side inspired by the magical feet of Michael Olise delivered one of the most embarrassing evenings of the Dutchman’s tenure.
United’s European aspirations for next season may now have to rely on them beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final after two goals from Olise, Jean-Philippe Mateta’s ninth in 11 since the appointment of Oliver Glasner and another from Tyrick Mitchell gave Palace a league double over their opponents for the first time in Premier League history. The scant consolation for Ten Hag was that Palace could not find a fifth to match their record victory over United back in December 1972 after Odsonne Édouard hit the post late on – a result that led to the sacking of the manager Frank O’Farrell three days later.
With Harry Maguire ruled out for the remainder of the season, the 36-year-old Jonny Evans was the only central defender at Ten Hag’s disposal for the trip to south London. Yet while Mason Mount was able to make only his fifth Premier League start of the season, the extent of United’s injury list meant that two of the substitutes were goalkeepers and four had never made a senior appearance.
Palace had no such issues and welcomed back Eberechi Eze to the starting lineup. There was also a timely return for Marc Guéhi on the bench as he looks to prove his fitness in time for the Euros after three months out with a knee injury, with Gareth Southgate watching on from the stands at his former club.
Ten Hag – who has reportedly been placed on Bayern Munich’s shortlist to replace Thomas Tuchel in the summer – had insisted before the game that Bruno Fernandes remains happy at Old Trafford despite this season’s struggles. But the absence of his most creative player against a red-hot Palace side that have improved rapidly under Glasner made this a particularly ominous occasion for the United manager.
Jarred Gillett, the referee, made history by wearing a head-mounted ‘RefCam’, with footage to be broadcast at a later date, and his first decision was to wave away Mitchell’s appeals for a penalty after a challenge from Evans. It wasn’t long until Palace found a way through United’s porous defence as the familiar failings returned, however. A sublime piece of skill from Olise after he received Daniel Muñoz’s throw-in left Casemiro sprawling in the centre circle as the France Under-21 forward sped away before clipping a precise shot past André Onana from the edge of the penalty area.
The electric Olise could have had a hat-trick inside the first 23 minutes had Mateta not blocked his goalbound shot after he was again set up by Muñoz before shooting straight at Onana. The visitors’ hopes of a quick equaliser were dashed when Gillett ruled Rasmus Højlund had impeded Dean Henderson, the former United goalkeeper, as he jumped for the ball.
United were fortunate that Olise could not capitalise on a rare slip from Kobbie Mainoo when clean through on goal. Onana then almost came unstuck when trying to clear under pressure from Mateta and sliced his clearance out of play to the delight of the home supporters.
But United’s luck could not hold forever and Ten Hag looked on forlornly when Chris Richards fed Mateta after winning possession. The in-form striker powered past the helpless Evans before smashing his shot into the net.
United’s players were sent out into the rain early for the second half but Palace continued where they left off as Eze volleyed Nathaniel Clyne’s cross straight at Onana. Casemiro thought he had pulled one back when he stabbed home after his header came back off the post, only to be flagged offside by almost a metre.
That only seemed to provoke Palace as a wonderful backheel by Olise through the legs of Casemiro set up Eze to curl just wide before Mitchell and then Will Hughes were denied by Onana. United were clearly there for the taking and Adam Wharton’s brilliant cross allowed Joachim Andersen to tee up Mitchell to tap home from close range. Ten Hag’s response was to replace Antony with Sofyan Amrabat in an attempt to keep the score respectable. But only Casemiro will know why he allowed Muñoz the opportunity to steal the ball in the area and free up Olise to hammer home a fourth.
The double substitution of Olise and Eze to a standing ovation ended the torment of United’s defenders for the evening. To their credit, the away supporters kept singing until the bitter end but it remains to be seen how long their manager can survive.