Manchester United make worst-ever start to a Premier League season

The Red Devils reunited with the Eagles only a few days on from butting heads in the EFL Cup third round, where the holders began the defence of their crown with a convincing 3-0 win.

However, the tables turned in the Premier League, where Roy Hodgson's men took the lead through a stunning Joachim Andersen goal in the first half, as the Dane picked out the top corner with a half-volley from Eberechi Eze's deflected free kick.

Man United were not short of opportunities to claw their way back into the match, with Rasmus Hojlund poking towards goal before the break, but Tyrick Mitchell hacked the striker's effort away before it could trickle over the line.

Sam Johnstone and his Palace backline stood firm in the second half to come away from Old Trafford with a one-goal win, earning revenge for their cup exit and prolonging the Red Devils' miserable start to the league season.

In fact, by going down to Hodgson's side on Saturday afternoon, the Red Devils have suffered their worst-ever start to a top-flight campaign, having only achieved three wins from their opening seven games, in addition to four defeats.

Not since the 1989-90 First Division season under Sir Alex Ferguson - three years before the Premier League's inception - have Man United endured an equally poor start to proceedings, as the Red Devils also had four defeats to their name by the end of September 34 years ago.

That year, Man United finished in a lowly 13th place in the table, but they clinched the FA Cup title, ironically overcoming Crystal Palace 1-0 in a final replay following a 3-3 draw.

Having taken just nine points from 21 on offer so far this season, Erik ten Hag's team lie smack-bang in the middle of the table in 10th place, nine points behind champions and arch-rivals Manchester City.

Furthermore, both of the Red Devils' most recent Premier League home games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Palace have now ended in defeat - the first time they have suffered back-to-back top-flight losses at Old Trafford since November 2021.

Man United have never suffered three successive Old Trafford defeats in the Premier League, but that record will be in jeopardy when the Red Devils host Brentford next Saturday.

Ten Hag commented on his side's disappointing start to the campaign after the match, admitting that his side made "poor decisions" in the final third and were "not good enough" overall.

Prior to the visit of the Bees, Ten Hag's men will aim to kickstart their Champions League campaign at the second attempt in Tuesday's clash with Galatasaray, two weeks on from their 4-3 loss to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

Amid Man United's dejection, Palace boss Hodgson earned a slice of history by becoming the first head coach to go unbeaten in five successive games at Old Trafford, picking up three wins and two draws in that time.