Manchester United threw EVERYTHING at Crystal Palace but FAILED to score! Garnacho hit the crossbar, Fernandes DENIED, and Henderson was UNSTOPPABLE! 😳 It’s a 0-0 STALEMATE, and fans are losing their minds! 💥

Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee, the two summer signings for Manchester United, have already begun to impress early in their careers with the club. De Ligt, while solid in defense, demonstrated his ability to contribute offensively as well. In the 33rd minute, he connected with a Christian Eriksen corner at the back post, rising above everyone else, but his powerful header was expertly saved by Dean Henderson, the former United goalkeeper. This remarkable save kept Crystal Palace in the game and left United visibly frustrated.

Zirkzee, also eager to mark his Premier League debut with a goal, came close to scoring. The tall Dutch forward met another well-placed corner from Eriksen, but his header went just wide. Throughout the first half, his physicality and sharp movement stood out, but he, along with his teammates, found it difficult to break through Palace’s resilient defense.

Crystal Palace struggled to cope with United’s dominance, finding it hard to retain possession and often pinned in their half by United’s relentless pressing. Eberechi Eze, Palace’s most creative player, was isolated for much of the game, unable to make a significant impact. On the rare occasions when Palace broke out of their half, they looked dangerous but lacked the composure to threaten Andre Onana in the United goal. One of their few chances came in the 44th minute when Eze found space just outside the box and fired a low shot towards goal, but Onana comfortably made the save, reflecting Palace’s struggle to capitalize in the final third.

United assistant coach Ruud Van Nistelrooy was a vocal presence on the sidelines, urging the players to stay composed amid the missed opportunities. Known for his goal-scoring prowess, Van Nistelrooy’s frustration was evident as United’s forwards struggled to find the back of the net. Since joining Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff, Van Nistelrooy has been instrumental in working with the team’s attackers, notably helping players like Garnacho and Zirkzee. However, United’s inability to score in this match mirrored the challenges they have faced in front of goal.

Christian Eriksen was one of the standout performers in the first half. His set-piece deliveries, particularly from corners, consistently troubled Palace, proving why he deserved his spot in the starting eleven. Paired with Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, Eriksen’s experience and creative vision helped United control the flow of the game. His connections with De Ligt and Zirkzee were promising, and his precise corners suggested that United were close to unlocking Palace’s defense.

Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, United went into halftime with the score still at 0-0. They could easily have been leading by two or three goals, but their failure to capitalize on opportunities left them goalless. Bruno Fernandes, typically reliable, had difficulty finding his rhythm. His frustration grew evident when he underhit a pass to Garnacho during a counter-attack, a rare error in what had otherwise been a dominant team performance.

As the players headed into the dressing rooms at halftime, it was clear Erik ten Hag and his staff had much to consider. United had been the superior side, but they needed to find a way to turn their dominance into goals. Van Nistelrooy’s emphasis on staying calm likely resonated in Ten Hag’s halftime talk, as United needed to remain composed and focused to avoid giving Palace any momentum in the second half.

For Crystal Palace, reaching halftime with the score still level was a relief. Despite being outplayed for much of the first half, they had managed to keep United at bay, thanks largely to Henderson’s saves and United’s poor finishing. As the second half approached, the game remained finely balanced. The question now was whether United could finally break through, or if Palace might capitalize on their missed opportunities and stage a surprise counterattack at Selhurst Park.