Manchester United’s season went from bad to worse as they suffered a humbling 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The loss, their 11th of the Premier League campaign, pushed them down to 13th place in the table, adding to the growing frustration among fans and former players alike.
Jean-Philippe Mateta was the hero for Palace, netting twice as United looked devoid of ideas and urgency.
Manager Ruben Amorim made a surprising tactical decision by deploying midfielder Kobbie Mainoo in an advanced role, while strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee remained on the bench.
Meanwhile, the club confirmed that Marcus Rashford will be leaving on loan to Aston Villa, marking his first departure from his boyhood club.
United legend Rio Ferdinand did not hold back in his criticism, describing the situation as dire. Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, he admitted, “It’s a sad state of affairs. It’s a bit of a morbid weekend, if I’m honest. We got beat today.”
Ferdinand pointed out United’s ongoing issues, highlighting their lack of intensity and cohesion on the pitch. “We weren’t a threat today.
The team only shows urgency when they go behind. It’s flat. I watched us against Rangers and Fulham—there’s no clear identity in possession,” he said.
He also noted how opponents no longer fear traveling to Old Trafford. “Teams are coming here with no respect. The manager needs to find a way to get his team through this period and salvage some positives,” he added.
Ferdinand was particularly critical of United’s defensive organization, stating that the team lacks awareness and structure. “We don’t sense danger when defending, especially when we’re high up the pitch. We’re just not good enough all around,” he said.
Beyond tactics and quality, Ferdinand believes the team lacks the fundamental desire to compete. “Hunger should be a given. Running, pressing, aggression, and dedication—these shouldn’t be questioned at a club like United. That’s a big concern,” he emphasized.
Amorim, however, saw some minor improvements despite the defeat. Speaking post-match, he acknowledged the team controlled possession better but admitted that their performance was still far from acceptable.
“It’s a hard day for the team and the fans. We improved in some areas, controlled the game better, and created some situations, but in the end, we conceded two avoidable goals,” Amorim said.
He added, “The performance was better than in previous games, even against Southampton. But when you keep losing, especially at home, small improvements don’t mean much. We need to keep going and focus on the next game.”
As United’s struggles continue, pressure mounts on Amorim to find solutions fast. With the club’s form showing no real signs of improvement, the road ahead looks increasingly bleak.
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