Even though the Manchester United fans will feel a sense of dejection after last night’s events at Selhurst Park, where United saw all three points snatched away from them as Michael Olise scored a stoppage time free-kick, I feel as though there should be a sense of perspective.
The talk of a title bid was always too premature and those United fans who are realistic would have needed some more convincing to believe that their side are genuine title contenders because United cannot sustain pressure and attack teams in the same way that Arsenal and Manchester City do, which is partly down to the fact that Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola have both had a significant length of time with their teams; teaching them their ways of playing and principles, whereas United have only been under Erik ten Hag for seven months.
The progress that United have made under the Dutchman under such a short space of time should not be discredited because the Reds are the only English team that are left in all four competitions, and after the debacle at home to Brighton and away to Brentford at the start of the season, perspective is needed because hardly anyone would have believed that come January, United would be level on points with Man City and in all four competitions.
Perspective should also be needed because before the draw against Palace, United were on a nine game winning run in all competitions and are due to play a two-legged League Cup semi-final affair against Nottingham Forest, which starts next week.
Yes, drawing to Crystal Palace feels deflating, but the fans should remember the progress that United have made, and ten Hag side’s main objective at the start of the season was to qualify for the UEFA Champions League places, following last season’s disappointing sixth place finish, and they are on course to doing so, which is why perspective is needed.
United go again on Sunday against Arsenal.