Man United secure Europa League spot despite loss at Palace

Mueez Ajao

– New coach Erik ten Hag watched on as Manchester United lost 1-0 away to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

– The result saw them secure a ticket to next season’s Europa League after they ended their Premier League campaign in sixth place.

– Forward Wilfried Zaha scored against his former team in the first half as Palace celebrated their first-ever Premier League victory over United at home.

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– Ralf Rangnick’s tenure as interim manager came to an end with United collecting 58 points, their lowest tally in Premier League history.

– United were nevertheless able to hold on to sixth place after West Ham United suffered a 3-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion and had to settle for seventh.

– Watched by new manager Erik ten Hag from the stands, United produced a lacklustre display and went behind in the 37th minute as Zaha finished smartly from the edge of the box after picking up a loose pass and cutting across the United defence.

– The visitors tried to improve their game in the second half but they looked poor in attack and barely created chances as Patrick Vieira’s Palace ended the season on a winning note and took the 12th spot.