Manchester United 0-1 Crystal Palace
The Red Devils have lost four of their first seven games this season, the first time since the 1989-90 season.
It is also Palace’s second consecutive league defeat at home, with Joachim Andersen’s first-half goal enough to secure all three points.
Manchester United last lost two consecutive Premier League home games against Liverpool and Manchester City in October and November 2021, their last two home league games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The last whistle was met with boos from the home crowd, and Ten Hag expressed his sympathies.
“I understand fans are expecting a win and we didn’t win and we lost,” said the Manchester United boss.
“Of course it is a concern, we have to be more consistent, this is not the demand for Manchester United. The demand is we get a row of wins and get into a series. We have to do better than now.
“I can give you reasons but you will explain it as an excuse and there are no excuses, we have to win.”
Manchester United’s failure was all the more disappointing since recent results had shown they were on the right track.
They defeated Burnley in the Premier League last weekend and then defeated Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
However, Palace were a different prospect on Saturday, aided by the return of numerous first-team players who had been rested over the week.
They defended brilliantly and capitalized on their limited opportunities. Manchester United, on the other hand, was wasteful in the final third and got more frustrated against their well-organized opponents.
The victory for Palace moved them up to ninth, with Manchester United dropping to 10th.
“We have to do better, and that is definitely the case. It’s not good enough,” Ten Hag added.
“We have to show it in our body language that Old Trafford is a fortress and you can’t get anything here, and the only way you can go away is with a loss.
“We have to do better here.”
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has found a way to get wins at Old Trafford, with this victory extending his undefeated streak to five games.
“A lot of talk will be about Manchester United, about them not creating well and playing well enough, but Palace deserve all the credit,” former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Their defensive display stopped the home side from playing.”
Former Blackburn striker Chris Sutton felt Manchester United did not do enough to deserve the three points, despite dominating possession.
“We know that if Crystal Palace get their noses in front they are a very, very difficult side to break down,” he said.
” A fantastic strike from Andersen and a fantastic defensive display.
“On the other hand Manchester United only forced Sam Johnstone into a few routine saves. There were a few good clearances from Palace defenders but aside from that they struggled to create.
“A worrying afternoon for Erik ten Hag.”
