Manchester United faced another disappointing defeat at Old Trafford, suffering their seventh league loss of the 2024-25 season at home, thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s impressive brace which led Crystal Palace to a 2-0 victory on February 2, 2025. This match showcased the stark contrasts between the two teams, as Palace surged past United, moving up to 12th place, leaving the home side languishing at 13th.
The opening stages of the match saw United make promising movements, with Kobbie Mainoo, deployed as a false nine, hitting the post after only seven minutes. It looked like United could capitalize on their early momentum, yet their attacking efforts soon fizzled out as Palace began to take control of the match.
Mateta broke the deadlock for the Eagles at the 64th minute. After Maxence Lacroix’s header came off the crossbar, Mateta swiftly reacted, taking advantage of the rebound to poke the ball home. This goal renewed the sense of urgency for United, who found it increasingly difficult to breach Palace’s solid defense.
Then came the final blow just before full time. With one minute remaining, Mateta doubled his tally, finishing off a clean counter-attack initiated by Daniel Muñoz, seamlessly slotting the ball past Manchester United's goalkeeper, André Onana.
“I’m feeling fantastic!” exclaimed Mateta post-match. “We won these three points, we worked hard, and I am very happy.” This performance marks his sixth goal in five Premier League matches since the start of 2025, displaying his clinical form and rising significance to Palace’s campaign.
On the other hand, Manchester United's manager, Ruben Amorim, is facing mounting pressure as his side continues to struggle to find consistency. After the match, he pointed out, “The result is really bad. The performance was slightly improved compared to our previous games.” Amorim expressed frustration over the failure to convert opportunities, admitting the team was lacking the final touches needed to secure goals.
The defense, too, has been under scrutiny, having allowed 22 goals this season compared to only 16 scored by their own forwards, highlighting the imbalance troubling United’s campaign.
This defeat is particularly alarming as it ties the club's record for the most home league defeats at this stage of the season, matching their dismal records from the 1893-94 and 2013-14 campaigns. With six home games still remaining, United risks surpassing their own historical shortcomings.
Oliver Glasner, the Palace manager, praised Mateta's performance and the collective effort of the team: “It is amazing when you have a number nine who scores goals — that's what everyone expects from a striker. He has confidence and the feeling at the moment.” Mateta’s work ethic has not gone unnoticed, as Glasner remarked on how hard Mateta works off the ball, stating, “He makes so many runs where he doesn't get the ball, but he gets the rewards.”
The match illustrated the shift in momentum for the Eagles, who have now won four of their last six away matches against United, compared to their previous struggles at Old Trafford, where they had failed to win any of their first ten visits. This newfound confidence is palpable as they look to build on this momentum.
Despite the highlights for Palace, the match concluded on a gloomy note for United as defender Lisandro Martinez had to be stretchered off due to what appeared to be a serious knee injury after colliding with Ismaila Sarr. Martinez, central to United’s defensive setup, has shown great resilience, and his potential absence adds more woes to Amorim’s tactical challenges.
With this match, United faces questions surrounding their dire form, as they have now failed to score in the first half of 18 different Premier League matches this season, the most of any team. The struggle to find productive pairing options for the attacking front is stark, especially with high-profile players like Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee remaining on the bench, raising eyebrows over his tactical decisions.
Looking forward, United's squad will need to recalibrate as they prepare for their next encounter against Tottenham Hotspur, hoping to find goal-scoring solutions and renewed confidence as the home support grows increasingly impatient with the lack of results.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace can celebrate their victory and the impressive scoring run of Mateta, as they prepare to host Everton next. Their fans can revel in the newfound form of their striker and hope it continues to be the catalyst for the team’s progress up the table.