Michael Olise works magic for Palace to deepen Manchester United's misery | first division

If Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United was still up for debate, then surely this would put to rest any lingering doubts. for Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Even in the midst of a season in which his team has gone from one disaster to another, a brilliant performance From one side of the Crystal Palace inspired by the magical feet of Michael Olise, he starred in one of the most embarrassing evenings of the Dutchman's mandate.

United's European aspirations next season may now have to depend on beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final after two goals from Olise, Jean-Philippe Mateta's ninth in 11 since Oliver Glasner's appointment and another by Tyrick Mitchell for Palace. a league double over their opponents for the first time in Premier League history. Of little consolation for Ten Hag was that Palace were unable to find a fifth goal to equal their record victory over United in December 1972 after Odsonne Édouard hit the post at the last moment, a result which led to the sacking of manager Frank O 'Farrell three days later. later.

With Harry Maguire ruled out for the rest of the season, 36-year-old Jonny Evans was the only centre-back at Ten Hag's disposal for the trip to south London. However, although Mason Mount could only make his fifth first division At the start of the season, the extent of United's injury list meant that two of the reserves were goalkeepers and four had never made a senior appearance.

Palace had no such problems and welcomed Eberechi Eze to the starting line-up. There was also a timely return of Marc Guéhi to the bench as he looks to prove his fitness in time for the Euros after three months out with a knee injury, with Gareth Southgate watching from the stands of his former club.

Ten Hag, who has reportedly been included in Bayern Munich's shortlist to replace Thomas Tuchel in the summer, had insisted before the game that Bruno Fernandes remains happy at Old Trafford despite this season's problems. But the absence of his most creative player against a red-hot Palace side who have improved rapidly under Glasner made this a particularly ominous occasion for the United boss.

Jarred Gillett, the referee, made history by wearing a head-mounted 'RefCam', footage of which will be broadcast later, and his first decision was to reject Mitchell's penalty calls following a challenge by Evans. However, it wasn't long until Palace found a way through United's porous defense when the familiar misses returned. Sublime skill from Olise after receiving a throw-in from Daniel Muñoz left Casemiro sprawled in the center circle as the France Under-21 striker raced away before accurately beating André Onana from the edge of the penalty area.

The electric Olise could have achieved a hat-trick in the first 23 minutes if Mateta had not blocked his shot on goal after Muñoz helped him again before shooting directly at Onana. The visitors' hopes of a quick equalizer were dashed when Gillett ruled that Rasmus Højlund had impeded Dean Henderson, the former United goalkeeper, as he jumped for the ball.

United were lucky that Olise was unable to take advantage of a rare slip from Kobbie Mainoo as he crossed the goal. Onana almost went clear as he attempted to clear under pressure from Mateta and cut his clearance out of play much to the delight of the home fans.

But United's luck could not last forever and Ten Hag looked on sadly as Chris Richards fed Mateta after winning possession. The in-form striker beat the defenseless Evans before smashing his shot into the net.

United players were sent off in the rain early in the second half, but Palace continued where they left off when Eze volleyed a Nathaniel Clyne cross straight at Onana. Casemiro thought he had closed the gap when he shot on goal after his header hit the post, but he was called offside by almost a meter.

That only seemed to provoke Palace when a wonderful backheel from Olise through Casemiro's legs set up Eze to bend slightly before Mitchell and then Will Hughes were denied by Onana. United were clearly there to take the ball and a brilliant cross from Adam Wharton allowed Joachim Andersen to tee up Mitchell to score from close range. Ten Hag's response was to replace Antony with Sofyan Amrabat in an attempt to keep the scoreline respectable. But only Casemiro will know why he gave Muñoz the opportunity to steal the ball in the area and free Olise to score the fourth.

The double substitution of Olise and Eze, to a standing ovation, ended the torment of United's defenders for the night. Admittedly, the visiting fans kept singing until the bitter end, but it remains to be seen how long their manager can survive.