Manchester United end worst-ever Premier League season with defeat at Crystal Palace

Sunday was a painful day for Manchester United fans, not least because they had to watch one of Manchester City or Liverpool lift the Premier League title, but more so because yet another dismal defeat shone further light on just how embarrassing a season it has been for the Red Devils.

Erik ten Hag watched on from the stands alongside his new coaching team, and the Dutchman will have been alarmed at what he witnessed.

Crystal Palace, despite having been involved in a game as recently as Thursday, looked fresher than a United team who hadn't played in almost two weeks.

Ralf Rangnick made a number of changes, even handing Hannibal Mejbri a rare start, yet more could be made of the players he left out of the squad completely ahead of what fans hope will be a summer transfer window of wholesale change.

Crystal Palace scored the only goal of the game through a former United player in Wilfried Zaha, and it came about it rather comical circumstances.

Bruno Fernandes looked to play a pass back towards his own goal from around the halfway line, and completely under-hit the ball and it fell straight to the Ivorian international.

Zaha then comfortably took advantage and opened the scoring, condemning United to their 12th Premier League defeat of the 2021/22 campaign.

Palace's impressive campaign

It has been a season of positives in the opposing dugout, with Patrick Vieira having expertly led Palace away from a season where relegation was expected, and he also reached the semi-final of the FA Cup.

His team performed well in their final home match of the season, and further investment could see them improve ahead of the new season.