“Ruben Amorim must change his formation to unleach tjis guy’s potential”: Crystal Palace coach says Man United has a potential Ballon D’or winner but Amorim’s system isn’t helping him
Man Utd player ratings from their 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Manchester United’s tactical experiment failed as they were beaten 2-0 by Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. Ruben Amorim made six changes to his side with Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo among those brought into the starting line up. Kobbie Mainoo was deployed in a new role as a false nine, with both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee on the bench.
United started bright and almost took an early lead when Mainoo hit an effort against the post but there was a warning at the other end when Daniel Muñoz headed wide at the back-post for Palace. The visitors grew into the game and went close again through a Tyrick Mitchell shot and wasted the best chance of the first half when Jean-Philippe Mateta chipped an effort just wide of the post.
It was an open start to the second half as United went close when Bruno Fernandes forced a fine stop from Dean Henderson with an effort from the edge of the box and Manuel Ugarte forced another with a volley from a free-kick. Palace always posed a threat though, and finally broke the deadlock when Mateta converted from close range after a Maxence Lacroix header had cannoned off the crossbar.
Things went from bad to worse when defender Lisandro Martinez went down in agony and was forced off with what looked like another serious knee injury. United pushed for a leveler but instead went two goals down when Munoz beat the offside trap and squared the ball to Mateta for a tap-in.
Lisandro Martinez injured
Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez has been stretched off the field in the latter stages of his side’s Premier League contest with Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.
Martinez was involved in a race with Palace forward Ismaila Sarr down the left before falling awkwardly and appearing to jar his knee, and he then had to be stretchered off the field.
The Argentina international looked in serious discomfort, and the initial suggestions are that the defender could have suffered a severe knee problem, which might end his season.
Martinez was out between September 2023 and January 2024 with a serious foot injury, and he then missed almost two months later in the same season due to a knee problem.
The 27-year-old will now be assessed before a statement is made, and Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim will also be asked about the situation in his post-match press conference after the contest with Palace.
Matthijs de Ligt was ultimately introduced as Martinez’s replacement following a period of treatment on the field.
