Man United 0 Crystal Palace 2: Mainoo Experiment, Martinez Injury and a Seventh home win

On By Littum

Manchester United suffered their seventh home win of the season on Sunday, worsened by defender Lisandro Martinez, who was taken by a stretcher.

The 2-0 loss means that Crystal Palace skips the United in the table, leaving Ruben Amorim’s men 13. With 29 points from 24 games.

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice in the second half, but a serious injury to Martinez after he went down under minimal pressure will cause long-term concerns to Amorim.

Both sides canceled each other in a first half with few chances. It was the use of Kobbie Maino in a ‘fake nine’ position (illustrated on the pitch below) that early caused the most interest, with Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund on the bench.

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace Match Dashboard

Before the match there was tribute to those who passed in Munich Air Disaster, and two new signings – Ayden Heaven from Arsenal and Patrick Dorgu from Lecce – were presented with the crowd.

Laurie Whitwell breaks down the voice points from Old Trafford.

What does Maino mean ahead for Zirkzee and Hojlund?

The big question when Amorim’s line-up fell was who would play ahead. Hojlund and Zirkzee were both on the bench for the first time under Amorim, which led to a guessing game before kick-off, with Alejandro Garnacho, Amad and Bruno Fernandes, who appear to be the most important candidates for the center-forward role.

But the warm-up revealed that it would be Maino who led the line, with the 19-year-old placed between Garnacho and Amad and in front of Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte during a passing exercise. Maino came into United’s first team as No. 6, but during his youth days he played as wings and # 10 and even as a fake nine on occasions.


Mainoo played like a fake nine on Sunday (Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Mainoo’s excellent screen at # 10 away to FCSB when he scored and helped for the first time in his career, probably urged Amorim to try him in an even more advanced position.

It was quite the statement of his faith in Hojlund and Zirkzee, and possibly a point that was made about the need to attack reinforcements in this window and beyond. Marcus Rashford’s loan giving to Aston Villa means United are trying to bring a tip in January, but a permanent solution is required in the long term.

Maino started bright in its new position and created Garnacho in the fifth minute with a cut after driving beyond the Crystal Palace defense to collect a pass from Nousair Mazraoui. Garnacho’s shot was blocked by Chris Richards.

A few minutes later, Maino had an effort himself and arrived at Amad’s passport, but saw his deflected finish hit the position.

But he then struggled to influence (illustrated in the player’s dashboard below) and was replaced after 70 minutes when Hojlund and Zirkzee were brought on (the latter came to Mazraoui). But they also offered a little.

What was United missing?

United’s wear in front of the target continued despite Amorim shaking his choice. They created chances in the first half, but it took until the 51st minute to record an effort on the target when Fernandes drilled a shot from the edge of the box that Dean Henderson palming away.

The Palace goalkeeper saved again four minutes later, this time with his legs when Ugarte connected sweetly to Harry Maguires Knockdown from a Fernande’s free kick.

United had finished the 10 shot opening period without worrying about Henderson, including two from Martinez trying to continue his Mini scoring race.

Mateta showed the value of natural instincts in front of the target and jumped on rebound from Maxence Lacroix’s header against the bar, after being played on the spot by Maguire. And Maguire was again a split other shortly after playing offside when Daniel Munoz burst through before squeezing to Mateta for his second late.

It was interesting to note the United State under the press release for Dorgu’s signature that he had tried the fourth most take-ons of any defender in Serie A, which suggested that he has been purchased with his attacking skills in mind.

United look at attacking opportunities before the deadline, including Bayern Munich’s Mathy’s Tel and Chelsea Christopher Nkunku. Leon Bailey from Aston Villa has been discussed, but this agreement will not happen.

What does Martinez’s harm to United mean?

The way Martinez went on the wound at the corner, where the away fans are houses, brought back memories of similar scenes at that place last February last year. It was there against West Ham United that Martinez injured his right knee and was sidelined until May.

This looked like a similar serious problem in which Martinez sheds his left knee during a challenge with Ismaila Sarr and immediately called for a substitution.

He lay flat on the grass with his head in his hands as medicine tended to him and he was carried down the tunnel in tears. Amorim gave him a slap of support as he traveled past Dugout.

Martinez has shown some of his best form recently and will be a great miss for Amorim when it comes to building from behind. His passing down the channel has been important aspects of United’s play.

Luke Shaw returned to training last week and is an option on the left center back when it was completely in shape. But he has also experienced many problems. Heaven, the new signature from Arsenal, operates in this position, but he is 18 and has only made a senior performance (which comes as a replacement in the last 10 minutes of a Carabao Cup match against Preston North End).

Amorim responded by sending Matthijs de Ligt. Leny Yoro has also played on the left side. But it is a troubled development for United.


Martinez was clearly in need when he left the field (Carl Recine/Getty Images)

What did Ruben Amorim say?

In a speech after the match, Amorim discussed the match and his choice at his press conference: “Today we chose to play with Kobbie, to use the properties of Kobbie, nothing against Rasmus or Josh. This does not mean that if you play with two strikers, you will score more goals.

“The performance was improved; Not much, but I think we played better than in the other games, even against Southampton, but when you lose you have the feeling that it doesn’t matter, the little improvement. “

Go-Deeper

Go deeper

Amorim: Martinez harm a ‘serious situation’

When Amorim was asked about the transfer window, Amorim said: “We need to improve as a team to score goals and we try the best to improve the team. This market is really hard for the clubs. Then you have this urgent character. We try everything I want so badly to improve the team. Sometimes it is possible or not.

“We try everything to improve the team without making the mistake of the past and trying to balance the moment. Once the window is closed we will see the players. I am focused on improving the team as a group. We have to win more games. This season is like that. We need small improvements and then we have setbacks. “

What next for United?

Friday 7th February: Leicester City (H), FA Cup Fourth Round, 20:00 UK TIME, 15:00 A

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(Topfoto: Carl Recine/Getty Images)