Manchester United failed to score for the third match in a row as their Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace ended in a goalless draw at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles made a strong start to the match and Yannick Bolasie came close in the opening minutes with a powerful strike that smashed off the bar.
Wayne Rooney then saw a free kick saved, before being denied at the feet of Wayne Hennessey when played through on goal.
In the second half Yohan Cabaye volleyed wide and Scott Dann headed over the bar, as both teams were forced to settle for a point.
Find out how the action unfolded below.
Good afternoon everyone! We've got a bumper day of Premier League action, with no less than seven games taking place across the country. Here, our focus will be on two teams who suffered defeats in the League Cup in midweek, as Manchester United travel to South East London to face Crystal Palace.
Good afternoon from Selhurst Park! #mufc pic.twitter.com/cMXxV16zpz
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 31, 2015
United saw their chances of lifting a trophy drop on Wednesday evening, as they were knocked out of the League Cup by Middlesbrough on penalties following a goalless draw at Old Trafford. It was the second game in a row that they failed to score, after a stalemate against neighbours Manchester City last Sunday.
Palace were also on the losing side in their cup tie, as they suffered a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Man City. Their league form has also taken a dip in recent weeks, and Alan Pardew will be hoping that his side can get back to winning ways after two straight losses in the top flight.
For those League Cup ties, both teams made plenty of changes and will be expected to be back to full strength today. So, let's take a look at which players will be starting when the action gets underway at 3pm.
CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Hennessey, Kelly, Dann, Delaney, Ward, McArthur, Cabaye, Zaha, Puncheon, Bolasie, Gayle
MANCHESTER UNITED XI: De Gea, Darmian, Blind, Smalling, Rojo, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Herrera, Mata, Martial, Rooney
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Speroni, Hangeland, Jedinak, Ledley, Lee, Sako, Bamford
MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Romero, Tuanzebe, Young, Carrick, Lingard, Pereira, Fellaini
So, Manchester United have brought a number of their first-choice players back into the starting lineup, with captain Wayne Rooney leading the line. He will be joined in the attack by the supporting trio of Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Anthony Martial. However, Phil Jones has been ruled out through injury, with Daley Blind partnering Chris Smalling at the heart of the defence.
The big news for Palace is that Yohan Cabaye has been passed fit to play and starts the match. There are four other changes for the Eagles from their defeat to City in midweek, as Joel Ward, James McArthur, Jason Puncheon and Dwight Gayle all return.
Let's get back to our build up for this afternoon's match and take a closer look at each team, starting with today's visitors. It has been quite a frustrating week for Louis van Gaal's side, who have failed to find the back of the net in their last two games and have also been knocked out of the League Cup.
© Getty Images
That cup exit occurred on Wednesday evening at the hands of Championship outfit Middlesbrough. The Reds were unable to score in 120 minutes of play at Old Trafford, before misses from experienced trio Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Ashley Young in the penalty shootout saw them lose to lower-league opposition for the second year running.
Prior to that disappointing night, they had hosted neighbours Manchester City at the weekend, in a game expected to be packed full of action. However, the teams could only play out a frustrating goalless draw, with only two shots managing to find the target between them all afternoon.
Van Gaal will be hoping that his team can get back to the sort of form they showed when they beat Everton 3-0 two weeks ago. It was one of the few occasions that they have really let the shackles off and played some flowing attacking football, with former United legend Paul Scholes criticising them earlier this week for showing a lack of creativity.
Despite some of the backlash that United have received, they are currently fourth in the Premier League and only two points behind joint-leaders Manchester City and Arsenal. Along with their title rivals, they have conceded just eight goals, and have kept a league high of six clean sheets.
Another team who are doing well in the top half of the table are Crystal Palace, who are five points behind United in seventh place. The Eagles have enjoyed some fine results in the early months of the season, but their form has just dipped slightly over the past couple of weeks.
© Getty Images
Alan Pardew's side have lost their previous three games, and on Wednesday they were beaten 5-1 by Manchester City at the Eithad as they crashed out of the League Cup. They had made a decent start to the match and the scoreline was slightly harsh on them, but they were punished by a very clinical City side.
That match was preceded by a clash with Leicester City, where a 10th goal in 10 games for Jamie Vardy saw them slip to a 1-0 defeat. It was their second straight loss in the Premier League, following a 3-1 reverse at home to London rivals West Ham United the previous week.
Defeat to the Hammers was their third loss out of five home games in the league this season, with Manchester City and Arsenal also claiming wins at Selhurst Park. They have actually won more games away from South East London, and their form on the road has been substantially better since Pardew arrived in January.
It will be a tall order for Palace to get back to winning ways if you take into account their record against United. The Eagles have won just one of the past 16 games between the two teams, with that sole victory coming at Old Trafford four years ago, courtesy of a 2-1 extra-time win in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
The last four meetings of the clubs have ended with United victories, including both league clashes last season. Their most recent meeting came in May, where Marouane Fellaini headed in a second-half winner to secure a 2-1 victory for the Reds at Selhurst Park.
© Getty Images
This fixture has thrown up some memorable games over the years, but perhaps the most famous was 20 years ago, where Eric Cantona launched a kung-fu kick at a Palace supporter as he walked off the pitch, having been shown a red card. He received 120 hours of community service, after initially being given a two-week prison sentence, and was banned from playing football for nine months.
Okay, we're just about ready to go here in South East London, with the pre-match formalities almost completed. Just a reminder that we have got all the other Premier League action covered for you this afternoon, plus the reaction and the big taking points from Liverpool's victory over Chelsea earlier today.
KICKOFF! We are underway at Selhurst Park!
SAVE! Palace have made a really bright start to the match and they have a chance to score inside the opening minute. A poor touch from Darmian gives Gayle the chance to get a shot away from the edge of the box, but his first-time effort is hit straight at De Gea and causes the Spaniard no problems.
The Eagles are putting their opponents under a great deal of pressure and another slip up at the back from Darmian, who is closed down quickly by Bolasie, almost leaves them in danger. However, there is enough on the ball for it to run all the way through to De Gea, who comes quickly off his line to clear.
It's all Palace in the early stages of the match and Bolasie has got in behind quite a few times down the left. Gayle has also found space in some promising areas, with United's defence looking very shaky at the moment.
Mata is fortunate to not pick up an early booking after a high challenge on Ward by the left-hand touchline. However, it has given Palace a free kick that will be whipped into the box by Cabaye.
OFF THE BAR! What a thunderous attempt this is by Bolasie. The free kick from Cabaye is only half-cleared by United, before it is knocked to Bolasie at the back post. The Congo international is at a wide angle, but fires in a superb strike that crashes against the bar before heading out to the left. It looks like De Gea may have got fingertips to the ball, making that a fine save from the keeper.
CHANCE! This has been such a great start to the match for Palace and they work another promising opening when Dann breaks free from his marker and meets a corner from Cabaye. He makes good contact with the ball and thumps a header goalwards, but De Gea is well-placed to turn the ball over the top.
We may not be too far into this afternoon's match, but Palace have already had plenty of chances to take the lead. They threaten to score again from another corner that causes all manner of panic inside the box. Bolasie manages to get a shot away in the resulting scramble, but somehow the Reds clear and manage to survive.
Full credit must be given to Palace for how they have started this afternoon's match. They are not giving United's defenders any time on the ball, with their forward players working so hard to quickly close them down
YELLOW CARD! Cabaye has been instrumental in Palace's fine start and he has made some great tackles, but a poor challenge through the back of Schweinsteiger sees him pick up the first booking of the match.
United have struggled to get into the match, but their midfielders are starting to see a bit more of the ball. They still haven't been able to create any chances, and have not yet managed a shot on Hennessey's goal.
CHANCE! United are given the chance to test the keeper for the first time after winning a free kick just outside the box. It's Rooney who steps up to take it, but his curling effort lacks enough power to beat Hennessey, who dives across his line to make the save and hold onto the ball.
YELLOW CARD! Palace are given their second yellow card of the afternoon as Kelly brings down Martial, who had tricked his way past the defender down the left. It was not the worst tackle, but the full-back will now be walking a tightrope for the rest of the match.
The momentum has begun to shift in favour of the visitors over the past few minutes and they are steadily building their way up the pitch. The likes of Mata and Martial are also getting more involved, with the Eagles being pegged back deeper inside their own half.
CHANCE! Huge, huge chance for Rooney. The forward is slipped clean through on goal by a wonderful pass from Martial. He just lets the ball run across him and onto his right foot, allowing Hennessey the time to rush off his line, and by the time he is set to shoot the keeper is there to claim the ball at his feet.
We haven't seen much of Palace since the opening minutes of the game and they are struggling to put the visitors under the same amount of pressure. The fact that a couple of their players have been booked has not helped, but they still have plenty of attacking options and are capable of threatening at any moment.
Palace are handed a chance to get men into the box as Zaha wins them a free kick at the byline down the left. Cabaye then comes across to whip in the set piece, but his delivery isn't the best and Herrera has no problems at hammering the ball clear at the front post.
CHANCE! Sensational play from Cabaye, who takes the ball down outside the box, before flicking a delightful pass over the top for Gayle. The striker then tries to direct a first-time effort past De Gea, but under pressure he is not able to get enough power on the ball and can only prod it into the grateful hands of the keeper.
We've only seen glimpses of United's quality in the final third this afternoon, and on this latest occasion a short corner fails to seriously test the Palace defence before it is cleared. They have attempted a number of speculative moves in tight situations, but so far nothing has quite come off.
CHANCE! Best move of the match by United, as a lovely flick from Rooney sets Mata on his way. The Spaniard then plays it out wide to Martial, who drives into the box. He then manages to pick out Herrera in the middle, but he just slips as he takes on the shot and it is blocked by the Palace defence before it can test the keeper.
HALF-TIME: Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United
We're still awaiting our first goal of the afternoon at Selhurst Park, with Crystal Palace and Manchester United unable to find a way through. Yannick Bolasie's early attempt that struck the bar is the closest the Eagles have come to breaking the deadlock, while Wayne Rooney should have done better for the Reds when he was played in behind.
© Getty Images
Following a shaky start to the match, United have gone on to dominate proceedings and they have seen a hefty 61% of the ball. However, they have only managed two attempts on goal, while Palace have had five efforts, most of which came inside the opening 12 minutes of the game.
Let's take a look at what's going on in today's other Premier League games. There haven't been many goals, with Arsenal and Swansea still goalless, as well as Manchester City's game against Norwich. Watford and West Brom are the only teams who have found the net, and they are leading their games 1-0 against West Ham and Leicester.
RESTART! Palace get the match back underway by taking the kick off for the second half.
YELLOW CARD! Early booking in the opening moments of the second half as Smalling cynically drags back Gayle by the left touchline. It was a stonewall free kick and a deserved yellow card for the defender.
United are lucky to escape another booking as Herrera brings down Cabaye with a late stamp on his foot and gets a stern talking to from the referee. The two players then continue their arguments for a little while longer, before the match finally resumes.
YELLOW CARD! Darmian has been given so many problems this afternoon and on this occasion he brings down Zaha down the left. The referee is quickly across to show him a yellow card, and he will have to be very careful now for the remainder of the match.
It has been a really scrappy start to the second half, with a number of fouls disrupting the play. The visitors have been guilty of the most infringements and it is not helping the game as a spectacle one bit.
Palace have been much improved since the break, after losing their way at the end of the first half. Their forwards are looking far more dangerous now, with Zaha looking to test out Darmian even more down the left flank now that the full-back is on a booking.
This is the type of play from Bolasie that is going to get the crowd on their feet. The forward looks second best to win the ball, but shrugs off the challenge of two United defenders and drives to the byline. He then delivers a teasing low ball into the box, but none of his teammates are there to profit, as United clear the ball behind for a corner.
SUB! United are making the first change of the match, as Darmian heads off to be replaced by Young. That is a sensible move by Van Gaal, as the Italian has looked vulnerable all afternoon, and even more so since he was booked.
SUB! It's another change for the visitors, as Fellaini is brought on to replace Schweinsteiger. He scored the winner on this ground last season and will hope to repeat the feat in the closing stages today.
CHANCE! What a massive moment in the game for Palace. Bolasie does well to work the ball out to Ward, who then plays a low cross into the box that finds Cabaye. The Frenchman meets the ball on the volley and hooks an effort towards the far post, but it heads inches wide of the target, with De Gea only able to look on helplessly.
PENALTY APPEAL! United scream for a penalty when Herrera goes down inside the box under pressure from Delaney. The Spaniard felt that he was clipped on the back of his leg, but the referee was quickly across and instead gave a free kick against the midfielder. There may have been the slightest contact, but the Spaniard went down far too easily.
CHANCE! It's another massive chance for Palace as Dann rises above everyone inside to meet Cabaye's corner. He makes good contact and loops a header towards the far post, but it ends up going inches wide.
SAVE! Palace are really going for it now and they are sensing a late winner. They threaten again as a loose ball breaks to Gayle just inside the box, who hammers in a low drive that forces De Gea to beat it away to safety.
SUB! Third and final change of the afternoon for United, as Lingard comes on to replace Mata.
YELLOW CARD! We've seen plenty of bookings this afternoon and Gayle is shown a card by the referee for clipping the heels of Young.
SUB! Palace are making a change here, with Jedinak on to replace Cabaye.
SHOT! Rooney hasn't had the greatest afternoon but he fancies his chances when the ball breaks kindly to him around 25 yards out from goal. He gets it out of his feet and looks to hammer a strike into the top corner, but it fails to hit the target and goes high into the stands.
You just wonder if we will see a late winner today, as both teams are still pushing plenty of men forward. Palace look the more likely candidates to claim the points at the moment, but over the years we have seen United claim victories at such late stages.
Lingard has shown some neat touches since coming on, and he combines well with Young before driving down the right. He then tries to get a cross into the box, but the Palace defence are quickly over to cover and bring the attack to an end.
CHANCE! That was the moment to win it for Palace. Puncheon puts a great corner into the box that is met by Bolasie, but he can only turn the ball just over the bar. The replays show that it may have clipped Schneiderlin too on its way over, but that was another good chance for the Eagles.
There will be at least three minutes of stoppage time added on.
YELLOW CARD! Rojo becomes the sixth player of the match to be booked for a foul on Gayle.
FULL-TIME: Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United
So, neither team are able to find a way through in added time, as the game finishes in a goalless draw. Despite the lack of goals, there was plenty of action throughout the afternoon in a thoroughly watchable game at Selhurst Park.
Our coverage of this afternoon's game may be over, but there's still analysis and player ratings to come in just a short while. We'll also have more live action for you over the weekend, so stay tuned for that. Until next time, goodbye!
© Getty Images
Written by
Alex Meyers
Alex Meyers
