Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Manchester United's struggles in front of goal continued on Saturday as they had to settle for 0-0 draw away at Crystal Palace.
The Red Devils drew a blank for the third time during the last seven days. They were held at home by Manchester City last Sunday before tumbling out of the League Cup against Middlesbrough in midweek.
Louis van Gaal's side were perhaps fortunate to even pick up a point from their trip to London, with Palace having the best chance at Selhurst Park.
Yohan Cabaye failed to convert a glorious opportunity in the second half, the midfielder unable to hit the target from close range after getting on the end of Joel Ward's right-wing cross.
Yannick Bolasie had struck the bar for the hosts in the opening 45 minutes, but in the end, the game finished goalless.
Manchester United still sit in the top four in the Premier League table, though both Manchester City and Arsenal recorded wins to move further clear at the summit.
Here, Bleacher Report picks out the winners and losers from the contest.
Winners: The Goalkeepers
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Stalemates do not thrill the fans, but goalkeepers are able to get excited about 0-0 draws.
Custodians David De Gea and Wayne Hennessey were hardly overworked over the 90 minutes, but both men had their wits about them when they were called into action.
Manchester United's De Gea managed to get a slight touch to Yannick Bolasie's rasping drive in the early stages, getting enough contact with his glove to deflect the ball onto the bar.
At the other end of the field, Hennessey was quick off his line to deal with the danger when Wayne Rooney broke clear.
The Wales international confronted the England captain, blocking the ball away to safety after Anthony Martial's pass had put Rooney in behind the Crystal Palace defence.
Loser: Yohan Cabaye
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Yohan Cabaye was the spark for Crystal Palace's best moments before he was replaced with 10 minutes remaining.
The Frenchman would not have looked out of place in Manchester United's midfield. According to journalist James Robson on Twitter, he could have ended up at Old Trafford earlier in his career: "Cabaye is a terrific player. There was interest from United before they signed Mata."
So, why is Cabaye considered a loser if he was so influential?
Because, despite all the good things he did during his time on the pitch, he happened to waste a glorious opportunity to put Palace ahead.
Having ghosted into the box, the former Newcastle United player found himself on the end of Joel Ward's low cross from the right flank with only David De Gea to beat.
However, Cabaye failed to make decent contact with his right-footed effort from around six yards out—his scuffed attempt ending up bobbling wide of the goal.
Winner: Anthony Martial
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Just like in the 0-0 derby draw with Manchester City, Anthony Martial looked the most likely player to make something happen for Manchester United.
The Frenchman once again started on the left, but even from a wide position he created problems.
Martin Kelly endured a tough first half trying to deal with Martial, the full-back picking up a booking before his manager, Alan Pardew, swapped him to the opposite flank at the break.
Martial created the visitors' best chance with a defence-splitting pass through to Wayne Rooney, who proved unable to get the ball beyond home goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.
Louis van Gaal did push Martial into a central position in the closing stages, hoping to find a late winner.
However, calls will grow for the deadline-day signing to be given the chance to start in the middle.
Stan Collymore tweeted after the game: "Not sure how much longer LvG can ignore Martial as central striker, Young on the left and Mata as 10."
Loser: Manchester United in Attack
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Former Manchester United player Paul Scholes said in midweek the current Red Devils "lack of creativity and risk," per BBC Radio Manchester.
Manager Louis van Gaal was undeterred by the comments. He fired back at his press conference on Friday, according to Richard Tanner of the Daily Express: "Why is he [Scholes] saying something? For the benefit of the club or the benefit of himself?"
However, Scholes does have a point.
Manchester United have now gone 325 minutes without finding the net (outside of scoring once in a penalty shootout in the League Cup).
Per the statistics on BBC Sport, the Red Devils had one shot on target against Crystal Palace. One measly attempt that could have resulted in a goal.
Even that solitary effort was a Wayne Rooney free-kick in the first half that was easily saved. Rooney will cop criticism again, but he cannot do it all by himself.
The methodical approach Van Gaal likes may allow his team to dominate possession, but it also allows opponents to defend in numbers.
Winner: Joel Ward
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Joel Ward was the standout performer in a Crystal Palace defence that kept their big-name opponents at bay.
The defender had only made his return from a knee injury in midweek, coming on as a late substitute in his side's 5-1 League Cup loss away at Manchester City.
Drafted into the starting XI due to the absence of Pape Soare, Ward began the match against Manchester United at left-back.
However, Martin Kelly found it tough going against Anthony Martial on the opposite flank, resulting in home manager Alan Pardew switching his defensive pair around at the break.
The move paid dividends. Ward not only locked down the right side, he also created the best chance of the match.
His low centre bounced perfectly into the path of team-mate Yohan Cabaye in the box, but the Frenchman failed to do the cross justice.
Loser: Matteo Darmian
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Matteo Darmian made such an impressive start to life at Manchester United that he was named the club's Player of the Month for August.
However, the defender has been a little up and down since those promising early performances.
The full-back was subbed off at half-time in the 3-0 away defeat to Arsenal at the start of October, while the he began the Manchester derby last weekend on the bench.
Restored to the starting XI, Darmian had his hands full against Crystal Palace's wing pairing of Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha.
The Italy international was booked for a foul on former Manchester United player Zaha early in the second half.
The yellow card, his fifth in the Premier League already this season, means he will now serve a one-match suspension.
Visiting manager Louis van Gaal decided not to risk leaving the player on, replacing him with Ashley Young. ESPN journalist John Brewin tweeted: "Darmian's early-season promise is fading. He looks nervous."
