Building blocks at the back

It is a statistic that will please manager Erik ten Hag, as the Reds are beginning to build a base in the backline after injuries had prevented such progress last term.

Setbacks to defenders plagued our 2023/24 campaign, despite United eventually recovering to claim Emirates FA Cup silverware against Manchester City back in May at Wembley Stadium.

Our latest shutout, against the Eagles, marks three on the bounce following strong performances against Southampton and Barnsley respectively in the last seven days.

You have to go back to back January 2023 for the last time the same feat was achieved, which again shows that patience and our work on the training ground is finally being put to smart use.

A 3-0 success over Nottingham Forest on December 31 2022, began the run, before we followed that victory with a 1-0 success against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux just a few days later, thanks to Marcus Rashford's late winner. Another sound defensive performance followed, against Bournemouth in M16 on January 3.

The latest achievement could be seen in part thanks to some smart work from Andre Onana across the 90 minutes at Selhurst Park, especially for his heroics in the second period.

In the first half, we conceded only one solitary shot to a side that has been a real threat going forward under Oliver Glasner.

Eddie Nketiah's shot was well stopped by the Cameroonian before he followed up with an ever better save to prevent Ismaila Sarr on the follow-up.

Credit must go to the partnership being formed along the backline, with both Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt beginning to create something to be proud of, we must admit.

Noussair Mazraoui also impressed at right-back once more, with Diogo Dalot's diligent work in his unfamiliar left-back role never going unnoticed.

De Ligt could have even opened the scoring in the first half himself, on two separate occasions, but was denied by former Red Dean Henderson in the Palace net.

Next up for Ten Hag's men is our opening clash of the new Europa League campaign, as we host FC Twente on home soil on Wednesday night.

Let's hope for more resolute defending and another clean sheet, with positives to take from a strong showing in the capital on Saturday evening, despite the frustration at not finishing our chances at the other end.