Former Manchester United captain Ashley Young didn’t mince his words when assessing Michael Olise’s goal for Crystal Palace against his former club.

Young remarked, “It’s astonishing how they’re set up. Crystal Palace gain possession with a throw-in in their own half. Instead of pressuring forward, United allow Palace to retreat. Olise exploits the space with just one decisive run. It’s chaotic, frankly. As for Casemiro… I’m at a loss for words. Perhaps he assumes Olise will backtrack. However, Olise anticipates Casemiro’s attempt to challenge him and effortlessly bypasses him. It’s embarrassingly straightforward.”

Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender and regular Sky Sports pundit, echoed Young’s sentiments. “This has nothing to do with [Casemiro] playing out of position,” Carragher asserted regarding Olise’s goal. “Even in a holding midfield role, that tackle attempt is shameful. He should be substituted immediately. Nothing can be worse than Casemiro playing as a center-back for Manchester United in the second half.”

Erik ten Hag’s squad found themselves trailing 2-0 by halftime, with Jean-Philippe Mateta doubling Palace’s lead. United had a goal disallowed, possibly unfairly, due to an apparent foul by Rasmus Hojlund as he challenged Eagles goalkeeper Dean Henderson. Casemiro was also caught offside when he netted early in the second half, before Palace extended their lead through Tyrick Mitchell and Olise.

Looking ahead for Manchester United, with only two league games remaining against Arsenal, Newcastle, and Brighton, the outlook appears bleak. The Red Devils have never finished lower than seventh in the post-1992 era but currently sit eighth, tied on points with seventh-placed Chelsea. Despite having played the same number of games, United have a significantly worse goal difference.