Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag regrets ‘worst defeat’ but vows to push on

Erik ten Hag admitted Manchester United’s 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace was the lowest point of their season so far, but insisted he remains the right man to turn the club’s fortunes around.

Injury-hit United suffered their heaviest loss of the campaign as Michael Olise, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer, snuck away at Selhurst Park with a stunning two-goal display.

Olise broke the deadlock in the 12th minute and made it 4-0 with 24 minutes remaining, while Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell were on target in midfield for Oliver Glasner’s side.

It was another woeful display from Ten Hag’s side and eighth-placed United could be set for their lowest finish in the Premier League.

United finished seventh in the 2013-14 campaign – their first since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson – with 64 points, but can’t match that total again and sit sixth on Newcastle by two points with three games remaining .

Asked if he thought he was the right person to restore United’s fortunes, Ten Hag told Sky Sports: “Absolutely. And if the right players are there, available, we have a good team, but we’re missing almost the entire back line and then we have problems.

“It’s very disappointing. Underperforming. Definitely the worst defeat. We should have done better.

“We are aware, as a team performance, that we were not fair, making big mistakes and not following the plan and the script and the rules that we have.

“Yes (a low point), it was very poor the way we scored the goals, especially when we are preparing the team and conceding the first goal is very disappointing.”

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United arrived in south London without Harry Maguire and captain Bruno Fernandes, but veteran Jonny Evans was fit enough to start and partner Casemiro in defence.

Both hit the decks in the first half as Olise left Casemiro lying on the floor near the center circle before he fired a shot into the bottom corner after being given the freedom of Selhurst Park by the backpedaling defense of to United.

Mateta then slotted past Evans to slot past Andre Onama after 40 minutes to give the hosts a deserved lead at the break.

United hardly threatened, but a 27th-minute effort from Casemiro was ruled out after Rasmus Hojlund teed up Palace keeper Dean Henderson.

Antony’s low 22-yard shot after 51 minutes was the visitors’ first on target, but Mitchell scored seven minutes later for Palace after Adam Wharton picked out Joachim Anderson.

Olise provided a fitting finale when he fired past Onana on 66 minutes after Daniel Munoz was too strong for Casemiro.

It made it a record-breaking night for United, who have now suffered 13 league defeats, their most ever in a Premier League season, while conceding 81 goals in all competitions, most in a single campaign since 1976. -77.

Ten Hag added: “Actually yes (it was out of the blue) because this is the fourth defeat in 2024.

“Until now you have always seen a team playing and following the script. That’s why (yeah) I didn’t have many wins, but I was hard to beat. Today I was easily defeated.

“I’m sure the players had the right intention to come and were eager from the start, but once I played I didn’t improve. Individuals didn’t perform and as a team we didn’t perform.”

Palace boss Glasner praised his team but was not entirely satisfied with the display.

“Yes, congratulations to the team for the result and performance, especially in the second half. I think in the first half we can do better,” he said.

“We had some adjustments at half-time and the second half, especially after the third goal, we played some really great football.

“The players had a lot of fun on the pitch.”