In a result that sends shockwaves through the Premier League, Manchester United's crisis deepened with a humiliating 0-3 home defeat to Crystal Palace, crashing them out of the Carabao Cup at the third-round stage.
The nightmare began early for Erik ten Hag's beleaguered side. Just 21 minutes in, a defensive lapse allowed Alejandro Garnacho to be easily dispossessed, setting up a rapid Palace counter-attack. The move was finished with cold precision by Odsonne Édouard, who calmly slotted the ball past a helpless André Onana.
Any hopes of a United fightback were extinguished seven minutes after the restart. A clever free-kick routine found Marc Guéhi completely unmarked, and the defender made no mistake with a powerful header to double the visitors' lead and silence the Old Trafford faithful.
Ten Hag's Tactics in Tatters
The introduction of substitutes Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford did little to change the momentum. Instead, it was Palace who put the final nail in the coffin. In the 55th minute, a brilliant solo run from Casemiro was brutally punished on the counter-attack. A sublime through-ball from Jean-Philippe Mateta found Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, who fired home to complete a devastating and memorable victory for the Eagles.
This defeat marks a new low in what is rapidly becoming a disastrous season for the twenty-time English champions. The manner of the loss—at home, and with such a lack of fight and tactical cohesion—will pile immense pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.
A Statement Win for the Eagles
For Crystal Palace and manager Roy Hodgson, this was a tactical masterclass. Organised, disciplined, and lethally efficient on the break, they exploited United's vulnerabilities with ease. This victory will provide massive confidence as they progress to the next round of the competition.
For Manchester United, the inquest begins immediately. With their Carabao Cup defence over before it truly began, and their league form in tatters, the questions surrounding the club's direction are growing louder by the day.
