Analysis: Man Utd 0-2 Crystal Palacepublished at 22:15 2 February
22:15 2 February
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
It seems bizarre to recall that after eight games this season, Crystal Palace had just three points and there were genuine fears they were in for a prolonged relegation scrap.
Those concerns have proved unfounded as they have edged up the table to 12th and within striking distance of successive top 10 top-flight finishes for the first time since the 1990s.
Oliver Glasner has clearly worked particularly hard on his defensive unit.
Had Newcastle got their way, Marc Guehi would not have been part of it. On this evidence, it was easy to see why Palace fought so hard to keep their captain.
Guehi is quick, strong and composed on the ball. But he is not on his own. USA international Chris Richards was not fazed by facing Alejandro Garnacho's trickery, while Frenchman Maxence Lacroix also excelled, finding time to test Andre Onana at the other end as Palace took control of the contest in the middle of the opening period.
Behind them, former Manchester United keeper Dean Henderson also had a positive afternoon. One low save at the start of the second half ensured Bruno Fernandes' low shot did not find the net and, shortly afterwards, he thwarted Manuel Ugarte with a feet-first save from the Uruguay midfielder's hooked volley.
The well-drilled defensive unit meant Palace had a strong foothold in the game by the time Eberechi Eze made his introduction and impact.
His extra quality, combined with Jean-Philippe Mateta's sure finishing, meant it was the Palace fans celebrating at the end.
Man Utd 0-2 Crystal Palace - the fans' verdictpublished at 20:22 2 February
Steve: We were pretty ordinary in the first half, having missed a few chances, but Manchester United are in a worse state at the moment. In the second half, we gained confidence and scored two great goals. We are getting better again, as we were at the end of last season, but we need to sharpen up on our passing accuracy and keeping the ball.
Colin: An excellent away display from Oliver Glasner's side. A mature display and much improved compared to the start of the season. He has certainly started to get the best out of Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Nick: A thoroughly deserved win. I'm proud of the boys. Adam Wharton and Eberechi Eze showed their class, the defence was solid and JP is on fire. Chris Richards also had a great game.
Adrian: Oliver Glasner is an elite football coach. It is blindingly obvious to us Palace fans. We are very happy with him. No offence but he is a class above Ruben Amorim. With a tad more backing, Palace could become a force.
Lee: A superb performance from everyone involved. Imagine where we would be if the board backed Glasner in the transfer market! He is the best manager we have had since Steve Coppell.
Martin: Palace have 27 points from their past 16 games, which is top-10 form. The recruitment has been excellent, from the coach to the players. They are young and have ambition. We are never going to win the Premier League but it's a joy to see the team I've supported for 50 years be so well run and firmly established in the top flight.
Glasner expects 'one more'published at 19:59 2 February
19:59 2 February
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
There have been a lot of rumours linking England and Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell with Crystal Palace in recent days.
I asked Palace manager Oliver Glasner about whether the rumours could become reality on the final day of the window.
Glasner could have said no.
But he didn't.
"I expect one more signing on a position where we have just one player playing with his good foot there," he said. "Let's see who it will be."
With Morocco international Chadi Riad ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, Tyrick Mitchell is Palace's only fit left-footed defender.
Chilwell is left-footed.
'A big win - we stay humble and keep going'published at 17:12 2 February
17:12 2 February
Image source, Getty Images
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been speaking to Sky Sports about the result: "The second goal is everything. We are always talking about it and I am delighted that it started with Adam Wharton playing a great one-touch pass. It was really great to watch. A big win - we stay humble and keep going."
On Jean-Philippe Mateta's form: "It is him, it is JP. The first goal was after a set play and he is where he has to be as a number nine. He makes so many runs where he doesn't get the ball, but we demand and encourage him. Everything he is doing, he is doing it [for a reason] and of course we are delighted with his form."
On any further transfers: "One more day to go, let's see what happens. I think we will have at least one more signing - we need one. I'm trying not to talk about where it will be, but I think everyone can imagine. I think this signing will happen.
"Maybe we are also looking for a centre-back. It's not a must, but I'm pretty confident that there will be one signing."
'The defenders made my day easy'published at 16:47 2 February
16:47 2 February
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Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day about the result: "You put in that hard work every day to become a team that is hard to beat."
On the defence he has got in front of him: "They are loads better from the start of the season. We had new players come in and the positions have evolved. They have been fantastic and they made my day easy."
On whether the win is even more special as a former Manchester United player: "Obviously it is nice to come back and get the win [at Old Trafford], but more importantly to get the three points and keep climbing up the table."
'We listened to the gaffer and worked hard'published at 16:39 2 February
16:39 2 February
Image source, Getty Images
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has been speaking following the win at Old Trafford: "I'm feeling fantastic! We won these three points. We worked hard and I am very happy."
On the game plan they had to beat Manchester United: "We know how they play with the new manager. We worked on a plan during the week and we stuck to the plan. We listened to the gaffer and worked hard, and I think we deserve this win."
On scoring his brace: "I just put my head down and worked hard. I think sometimes when you do that, you get the reward."
Man Utd 0-2 Crystal Palace: Key statspublished at 16:34 2 February
16:34 2 February
Image source, Getty Images
After failing to win any of their first 10 visits to Old Trafford in the Premier League - a run that included nine straight defeats - Crystal Palace have now won four of their last six away matches against Manchester United (L2).
The Eagles have also won back-to-back visits to Old Trafford for only the second time in the competition.
No player has scored more Premier League goals in 2025 than Jean-Philippe Mateta. His six goals are level with Chris Wood and Phil Foden. After his brace in this game, the Frenchman has netted 26 goals since the start of last season.
Man Utd 0-2 Crystal Palace - send us your thoughtspublished at 15:58 2 February
Sutton's predictions: Man Utd v Crystal Palacepublished at 09:57 2 February
09:57 2 February
I was wrong when I said Manchester United would lose at Fulham last week, which a few people happily reminded me about on social media.
It was not exactly a convincing win, but maybe things will click for them here - I have my doubts though.
I have got a bit of sympathy for United striker Rasmus Hojlund, who is getting some criticism at the moment. He was signed as a development player, albeit an expensive one, but it has not happened for him.
There are two sides to his situation though. I feel sorry for him because he needs a run of games to find some rhythm, but he also needs to take his chances when they come, and do better at some of the basics, like holding the ball up.
He's not the only player at United in that situation, with something to prove.
Maybe they will become a free-scoring side again, but that probably won't happen here and it still feels like we are totally guessing about what they will do each week.
Crystal Palace lost at home to Brentford on Sunday, which was a bit of a surprise because they have been so solid recently.
The Eagles won at Old Trafford last season, but this game has got a draw written all over it.
Glasner on key injuries, transfer business and Esse 'calm'published at 16:29 31 January
16:29 31 January
Henry Brownsey BBC Sport journalist
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester United (kick-off 14:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Glasner spoke of two significant injury blows: "Unfortunately, we had several pieces of bad news at the beginning of the week - Cheick [Doucoure] needs surgery on his knee, and Chadi [Riad] has ruptured his ACL - we have lost both for the rest of the season – and Chadi even longer. We hope Cheick will return for pre-season next season – so it's two long-term injuries."
Eberechi Eze will also miss the weekend's game, with Glasner stating: "He's struggled the last weeks and months. He got a knock in the cup [against Arsenal] and since then he's always had pain, training and not training, playing and then taking him off - we want to get him pain free."
More positively, Glasner hopes Adam Wharton and Matheus Franca will be in the squad: "Adam and Franca trained the whole week without any issues, and we're thinking both will be in the squad. It will also lift their confidence and mood after being out for several weeks."
Wharton, who hasn't played since October, "looks stronger than before" and Glasner said: "We are all looking forward to him staying now and training with us. We still have up to 20 games until the end of the season and we know he's a great player in midfield."
On transfers: "We planned two signings - one was Romain Esse. We are still working on the second one. I'm pretty confident we will get this deal done." The club may look for a centre-back but they "don't need it immediately" and will only get one if something good comes up.
On Manchester United: "I can see them making progress. I know Ruben Amorim from his time at Sporting and played them with Frankfurt. I have a lot of respect and admiration for how he managed the first weeks at Man Utd - it wasn't easy but he went his way and now you can see how he wants to play."
Palace went six games unbeaten before losing to Brentford and speaking about responding to defeat, Glasner said: "The whole week we talked about it, training looked good - but the evidence has to be there on Sunday at 2pm. We learned great from the 5-1 defeat against Arsenal - we defended our box terribly and I mentioned it, since then we've done it much better."
On the club's supporters: "We know we can count on our fans, everywhere. I hope they can go to Manchester because I know the trains are striking. We want to give back the passion and belief, we can promise we will do everything to win."
Romain Esse scored on his debut and speaking about the 19-year-old he said: "Let's stay calm - he was in the right position with the right finish. He did well and he's doing well in training. I could see him quite often be exhausted and he has to get used to it. It's a good start but I don't expect to see him now score with his first touch."
Listen to live commentary of Manchester United v Crystal Palace on BBC Radio 5 Live
The Palace finances behind failed Newcastle bid for Guehipublished at 08:49 31 January
08:49 31 January
Image source, PA Media
Former Newcastle United scout and Crystal Palace adviser Paul Montgomery, speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, external about the Magpies' pursuit of Palace and England centre-back Marc Guehi last summer:
"Michael Olise had to go [from Palace] because he had a clause in his contract. I wish Newcastle had taken him - he is a special player.
"Palace lost him and also Joachim Andersen, because of his age and the way the deal was to Fulham. The last thing they wanted to do was lose Guehi, who is a super professional.
"Speaking to the chairman [Steve Parish], he didn't want him to leave and he said the fee was £70m because he didn't want it done. Newcastle were in for him, Liverpool looked at the fee and said it was too much, but Newcastle came back.
"What I said to Steve was: 'You wanted £70m, but hang on to him as much as you can, because you'll still get £50m when he's got a year left [on his contract] at the end of the season. You'll lose £20m but you'll gain £130m because you'll stay in the league'."
Palace eye Djalo as centre-back solutionpublished at 16:55 30 January
16:55 30 January
Alex Howell BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Crystal Palace are interested in signing centre back Tiago Djalo on loan to increase their options at centre-back.
Marc Guehi, Chris Richards and Maxence Lacroix are the Eagles' three fit senior central defenders after Chadi Riad suffered a suspected anterior cruciate ligament injury and Chelsea recalled loanee Trevoh Chalobah.
Djalo is currently on loan at Porto from Juventus and has made 11 appearances so far this season scoring two goals.
It is not yet clear how a move for the Portugal international would be completed with the Eagles requiring Juventus to recall the 24-year-old before he could join Palace.
The Eagles came into this window looking for an attacker and a left wing-back to bolster Oliver Glasner's squad and have signed Romain Esse from Millwall, who scored with his first touch against Brentford.
The added need for a centre-back only emerged this week after it became clear that Riad was going to be out for a long time with his knee problem.
Lack of progress? Or 'be grateful' for club's 'golden era'?published at 08:58 30 January
08:58 30 January
Image source, PA Media
We asked for you to tell us one thing that no one is talking about regarding Crystal Palace.
Here are some of your comments:
Josh: We never seem to make progress any season. It's always the same, we go into this season with high expectations for top-half football, but always end up in the same spots, 11th to 15th. We've seen other teams, such as Forest and Villa, come up and then after a few seasons are already competing in, or trying to compete in Champions League football. It just feels like we've passed that threshold of progress.
James: A little over 60 years ago Palace were promoted from Division Four (League Two). Current supporters need to be reminded that they are currently enjoying the golden era in the club's history, thanks to the careful management of the current owners. Be grateful!
Simon: As ever, we have a key player in Tyrick Mitchell whose contract is running out, yet we don't have a natural successor to him nor is there any hint of a contract being offered. Currently we are always one injury away from a disaster in most key positions. A big summer ahead.
Shaun: With the absences of Riad and Doucoure, Wharton still not fit and the departure of Chalobah, we are looking light in defence/midfield. I feel another losing streak coming on.
Paul: Kamada is the biggest paid player and usually rates as the worst performer in every game. Why does Glasner play him?
Chris: Why is the team unable to maintain possession? We are rarely able to string several passes together in the opposition half.
Stanis: Whether we need to switch from a 3-4-3/5-2-3 to a 4-4-2/4-3-3 in home matches against the mid/low placed teams to be more creative.