Crystal Palace 0-0 Man United PLAYER RATINGS: Which 5.5/10 United star might be heading for the bench soon? And who is ‘kicking himself’?

Crystal Palace and Manchester United were virtually evenly matched on Saturday afternoon, meaning both teams played a near draw.

The pre-kick-off discussions mainly focused on Erik ten Hag’s decision to bench Marcus Rashford, with Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo being preferred.

And in a game of few clear-cut chances, it was United’s Garnacho who came closest to breaking the spell after blasting a shot against the crossbar in the first half.

Palace’s best chance came after the break when Andre Onana produced a stunning double save to deny Eddie Nketiah and then Ismaila Sarr.

In May, Erik ten Hag’s team conceded four goals without a response, raising growing questions about the Dutchman’s safety at work. But Saturday’s performance showed the progress his team has made.

Mail Sport’s CHRIS WHEELER gives player ratings for Selhurst Park here.

Crystal Palace

DEAN HENDERSON 8 – Frustrated his old club with two excellent saves from Garnacho and also held off De Ligt, Martinez and Zirkzee to give Palace a point.

DANIEL MUNOZ 6 – Lost Garnacho a few times in the first half and nearly paid for it, but became increasingly tougher in the second half against the Argentine winger and his replacement Rashford.

MAXENCE LACROIX 7 – Stood strong in the Palace defence, which managed to frustrate a United team full of big-money players.

MARC GUEHI 7 – The Palace captain is in a class of his own and provided a stable backline when United threatened to dominate this match.

CHRIS RICHARDS 6.5 – Oliver Glasner’s third of three central defenders ensured United struggled to convert possession into genuine chances.

TYRICK MITCHELL 6.5 – He was involved in a thrilling duel with Amad on Palace’s left flank and narrowly managed to beat the diminutive Ivorian.

EDDIE NKETIAH 6 – Came to life as the first half progressed and was the spark for Palace’s best chance just before half-time. Had a great chance to beat Onana just before he went off but was denied.

ADAM WHARTON 5 – He set up a goal with a hard tackle on Eriksen, but struggled after that and came off at half-time.

DAICHI KAMADA 6 – The midfield was a little overloaded in the first half, but Oliver Glasner made changes at half-time to get things sorted and he seemed more comfortable in the second half.

JEAN-PHILIPPE MATETA 5 – Mentioned United when Palace won 4-0 here in May but found De Ligt a much tougher proposition at centre-back than Casemiro. Substituted at half-time.

EBERECHI EZE 5 – Palace didn’t create many chances but the best two were his and he fired one straight at Onana and the other wide. He must be kicking himself.

Subtitles: Turner, Ward, Sarr (for Mateta 46, 6.5), Lerma (for Wharton 46, 7) Schlupp (for Eze 90+1), Clyne, Hughes (for Nketiah 66, 6.5), Umeh, Augbinone.

Booked: Henderson, Hughes, Lacroix

Manager: Oliver Glasner 6.5

MAN UTD (4-3-2-1)

ANDRE ONANA 7 – In the week we celebrated David Raya’s incredible double save for Arsenal in the Champions League, Onana did something similar when he stopped Nketiah’s low drive and then somehow recovered to block Sarr’s follow-up too. All the more impressive because he had little else to do.

NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI 6.5 – It’s not easy to keep Eze calm, but overall he managed it and he put in another solid performance.

MATTHIJS DE LIGT 7 – Scored from a set piece at Southampton last week and came close to another here. Handled Mateta’s threat very well and made a fantastic interception duel on Eze.

LISANDRO MARTINEZ 6.5 – Defended as ever and continues to give United an extra dimension with his passing range from the back. Received a yellow card for a two-footed foul in the second half which Palace claimed should have been a red card.

DIOGO DALOT 6 – He was still in a bad position on the left and had his hands full with Nketiah, but he stepped up and his brilliant pass almost led to a goal for Garnacho.

KOBBIE MAINOO 7 – Full of energy and resourcefulness in midfield for United. Has not been at his best this season but has helped Ten Hag’s team dominate midfield for a long time.

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN 6 – His lack of pace was exposed here in May but he looks better in a more compact United. Hasn’t created as much as he would have liked.

AMAD DIALLO 6 – Fell in and out of the game a bit. Made the wrong choice sometimes and didn’t have as much impact as he would have liked.

BRUNO FERNANDES 6.5 – Hit the crossbar with a follow-up effort in the first half and curled another just wide in the second. United captain did his best to create chances for the team but it came to nothing.

ALEJANDRO GARNACHO 6 – Replaced Rashford on the left but was unable to convert two big chances in the first half, hitting the crossbar with his second attempt.

JOSHUA ZIRKZEE 5.5 – Keeps showing glimpses but still finding his feet at United and may soon be back on the bench now that Hojlund is fit again. Came close with two tries here.

Subtitles: Bayindir, Maguire, Mount, Hojlund (for Amad 76, 6), Rashford (for Zirkzee 61, 6), Casemiro, Antony, Ugarte (for Eriksen 76, 6.5), Evans.

Booked: Garnacho, Martinez

Manager: Erik ten Hag 6

Referee: David Coote7

NB: 25,172