MX23RW : Wednesday, December 11 19:26:43| >> :120:5188:5188:

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: 'Our goal troubles are a concern'

The Red Devils have gone 285 minutes without a goal since Bruno Fernandes netted against Newcastle.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted Manchester United’s lack of goals was a bit of a worry after they were held to a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace.

The Red Devils struggled to create chances at Selhurst Park and have fired blanks in three consecutive games after goalless draws with Chelsea and Real Sociedad last month.

United travel to Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday and know even a victory would only take them to within 11 points of Pep Guardiola’s side.

Crystal Palace v Manchester United – Premier League – Selhurst Park
Mason Greenwood could find no way through the resolute Palace defence (Mike Hewitt/PA)

Solskjaer said: “Of course you are not happy if you don’t create enough chances to win a game.

“It has been a week with no goals. Sometimes three games sounds a lot without scoring, of course we have not conceded either, but a week in a season like this sometimes you just don’t hit the form you normally have had for many, many months.

“It is a bit of a worry, of course it is, but I know that the boys are giving everything.

“We play every three days, I know they are giving everything they have got. Attitude and approach, I am very happy with. The quality we need to get back to what we know we can do.”

Crystal Palace v Manchester United – Premier League – Selhurst Park
Dean Henderson made a vital late save to deny Patrick Van Aanholt and earn his side a draw (Mike Hewitt/PA)

David De Gea (personal reasons) and Anthony Martial (knee) were absent in the capital and Edinson Cavani led the line for the visitors but had limited opportunities.

The best chance for the away side went to Marcus Rashford after 16 minutes but he side-footed wide while Patrick Van Aanholt could have won it for Palace at the death only to be denied by Dean Henderson on just his third league start of the season.

On if De Gea will return at the Etihad, Solskajer added: “I can’t really say about David, it is of course a private matter.

“Dean is ready if he is called upon. You saw that. He kept his concentration and maybe or what I have heard it probably would have been called offside, but at the moment I thought Dean saved us a point.

“It looked like that was the deciding moment and that was probably the biggest chance in the game maybe apart from Marcus’ in the first half. That was good play and Marcus put it wide.

“That was a little moment we felt if we had scored there, that is the moment we were on top and apart from that it was a very even game and hard-fought.”

Palace extended their unbeaten run to three games following another dogged display and have kept five clean sheets since the turn of the year.

Roy Hodgson was delighted with their display while goalkeeper Vicente Guaita was only forced into action once from Nemanja Matic’s deflected first-half strike.

The 73-year-old said: “It is never easy to beat Manchester United. They have a host of very good players, quality players. It is always a challenge when you meet them whether you are Man City or Crystal Palace.

“It is always a difficult game but I thought the way the players went about their job tonight was very commendable. I can’t praise them enough.

“We had to work very hard but thanks to the shape of the team, the discipline and determination really because we got players around the ball and didn’t give them many clear sights. 0-0 for me was a very good result.”

ID:437673: cacheID:437673:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9292:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!