Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says his side side “gave everything” but were not good enough in the final third during their 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace.
Joachim Andersen gave Palace a 25th-minute lead at Old Trafford and United struggled to create many clear-cut chances as they sought to level the match.
“I think I can’t blame the players for they didn’t run,” Ten Hag said. “They gave everything.
“But in the final part in both boxes we didn’t do well. We only conceded three chances and they were from set plays so that does me we were in control.
“We were often in the final part but we didn’t make the right decisions on and off the ball but we have to be more clinical and more determined if you want to score a goal, you have to show more willingness to get more impact to score a goal.
The closest United came to scoring was shortly after Andersen’s goal, when Tyrick Mitchell cleared a Rasmus Hojlund effort off the line. Former United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone also made two smart saves in the second half to deny Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes.
Asked whether he could put his team’s poor form in front of goal down to bad luck, Ten Hag replied: “No it is not a matter of luck you can’t explain it like this. It is the form of today from the team.
“I think we get into the right spot and then you have to make the right decisions to create more but even I think we created many occasions in front of the goal and we have to net and we didn’t do and can only blame ourselves.”
United’s next game comes at home against Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday. Ten Hag’s side host Brentford in the Premier League next Saturday in their final game before the international break.
The defeat by Palace — three days after they beat the same opponents 3-0 in the Carabao Cup third round — leaves United 10th in the Premier League with three wins and four losses.
(Photo: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Get all-access to exclusive stories.
Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Try a week on us.
