Ruben Amorim’s desperate tactics just do not work as toothless United sink
On a day when Marcus Rashford was finalising a loan move to Aston Villa, Ruben Amorim opted to drop his two remaining centre-forwards and instead stick a midfielder, who has spent most of the campaign playing as a No 6, in attack against Crystal Palace in the hope of finding a better route to goal.
It felt like a punt, a leap of faith and, unsurprisingly, it did not work, Manchester United looking as toothless as ever as Palace condemned Amorim’s side to their fifth defeat in their last six home Premier League matches as another round of boos greeted the final whistle.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s match-winning brace took his tally to six goals in his past five league outings, which is more than Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have managed between them in the top flight this season, despite their combined £108 million price tag.
So Amorim’s reluctance to start with either striker was, in a sense, understandable but, even for a manager struggling badly to find solutions to the current mess, the decision to use Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine felt an odd one and was abandoned with 20 minutes to go and his team 1-0 down.
Maybe things might have turned out differently had a deflected shot by Mainoo gone in and not hit a post early on but, three days after the success the England midfielder had when moved further forward into the No 10 role against FCSB in the Europa League, this was a position change too far.
But then this is the situation United now find themselves in: Amorim feeling he has to resort to ever more desperate tactics as United’s rank failure to address a long-standing lack of goals starts to take on a life of its own.
Only four teams – including the bottom three – have scored fewer goals than United this term but this is not a new problem. United managed only 58 goals in Erik ten Hag’s debut season and one fewer in his second and are now scrambling to find a temporary stop-gap in the final 24 hours of the transfer window.
And even then, the options being explored feel underwhelming: a teenager in Mathys Tel that Bayern Munich are happy to move on, who has no real pedigree of scoring goals, or Christopher Nkunku, the occasionally fit Chelsea player who is more attacking midfielder than out-and-out striker.
Maybe something else will materialise before Monday’s deadline but consider this: Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood has scored as many goals in the Premier League this season (17) as United have at Old Trafford in 13 league matches, seven of which they have lost. The last time that happened was 131 years ago. So the idea of United doing nothing seems unthinkable.
Amorim has now lost seven of his first 13 Premier League games since replacing Ten Hag in November, a miserable afternoon against Palace compounded by what the head coach fears is a serious knee injury to Lisandro Martínez, who went down awkwardly challenging Ismaïla Sarr in the 77th minute and left the field in tears on a stretcher.
With Luke Shaw due back very soon and left wing-back Patrick Dorgu, who was paraded before kick-off alongside another new signing, Ayden Heaven, now on board, maybe Martínez’s absence will not be quite as costly as it has proven in the past. Yet there are no certainties Shaw will stay fit and there may already be an unreasonable level of pressure on Dorgu, still only 20 and who has had just 18 months as a senior professional, to hit the ground running.
Palace love playing United. They have won three of their last four games against them and not conceded once in that time. The last time United failed to score against the same opponent in four league games running was Arsenal between 1981 and 1983. Oliver Glasner favours the same 3-4-2-1 formation as Amorim but the difference is Palace know how to execute it and took advantage when it counted.
Eberechi Eze’s introduction off the bench brought fresh impetus and it was from his free-kick, after a needless challenge by Martínez on Sarr, that Maxence Lacroix thundered a header off the crossbar. Mateta – who would have given Palace a late first-half lead but for André Onana tipping his shot round a post – tapped home the rebound.
United had 11 corners to Palace’s none, 17 shots and 59 touches in the Palace penalty area – well over double their opponents’ total – but this team do not have a nose for goal. Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte forced good saves from Dean Henderson but they were the only two occasions in the game United troubled the Palace goalkeeper.
Mainoo started brightly enough but faded and all around there are too many players lacking confidence and uncertain what to do. Palace’s second was an example of Glasner’s system working well, Daniel Muñoz beating the offside trap to race on to Sarr’s through ball to square for Mateta to score.
How badly United need a centre-forward who knows his way to goal.
04:39 PM GMT
Contrast in fortunes
Ruben Amorim has really lost more league matches in his first 13 at Man Utd than in his last 75 at Sporting...
🔴 Man Utd - 13 matches, 7 defeats
🟢 Sporting - 75 matches, 6 defeats pic.twitter.com/Vl2yMvhBxd— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) February 2, 2025
04:37 PM GMT
Tough start for Amorim
Since taking charge of Man United, Ruben Amorim has picked up just 14 points in 13 Premier League games 📊 pic.twitter.com/cRCBwqyqbS
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 2, 2025
04:37 PM GMT
Ange Postecoglou on Tottenham’s new signing Kevin Danso
“Great to get Kevin [Danso] in. We desperately need a defender and getting him is great, he is a great fit for us.
“He has had a strong career but he wants to kick on. He is strong, quick, dynamic and wants to play on the ball. He is determined to kick on and make an impact.”
04:35 PM GMT
Tottenham defender Archie Gray speaking to PLP
“Obviously, it is a massive win. Off the back of another good win before. To break that run, it was difficult, we were in a difficult time. We have still got loads of games to prove that we can carry this winning form on, so it is important.
“At times this season, just for five minutes we have lost concentration. As soon as that goal went in we knew we cannot make the same mistakes. Once we got to half-time we thought we had to keep disciplined for the second half. They play man-to-man, they left people open at the back and we knew we could get a second goal as well.
“It is a credit to Ben [Davies] and Djed [Spence] and Pedro [Porro] as well. To be fair Ben was shouting at me the whole game and we were shouting at each other the whole game, so that was really good to have him next to me. Like I said, it was a really good clean sheet and hopefully we can keep it going.”
04:30 PM GMT
More from Amorim, talking to Sky
“The result is really bad. The performance was a little bit better than the last games. We controlled the transitions quite well for Crystal Palace. We suffered two goals that we can avoid and the injury on Lisandro Martinez was tough for the team.”
On Lisandro Martinez’s injury:
“We are going to see in the next days but I think it is a serious situation. He is not only a great player but a strong character in the dressing room. He felt it and when you are a player, you know when it is something serious. We are here to help him in this difficult moment like he has helped us.”
On remaining positive:
“It is normal for the fans to feel negative, it is a hard season for them but football can change in certain moments. I will prepare the next game and move forward. Better things will come.”
04:29 PM GMT
Martinez carried off in tears after suffering nasty knee injury
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was carried off the field in tears after suffering what appeared to be a serious knee injury in the Premier League defeat against Crystal Palace.
Martinez, who has already suffered two serious injuries in each of his previous seasons with United, needed more than five minutes of treatment after collapsing on the Old Trafford pitch.
The Argentina defender appeared to jar his left knee as he stretched out for the ball under pressure from Ismaila Sarr, although the Palace forward did not seem at fault for the awkward landing.
Our northern football correspondent James Ducker has the full story from Old Trafford.
04:26 PM GMT
Issues at home continue for Manchester United
7 - Manchester United have lost seven of their first 13 home games in the Premier League this season; their joint-most at this stage of a league campaign, along with 1893-94 (also seven). Nightmare. pic.twitter.com/u7vHhKDDtT
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 2, 2025
04:24 PM GMT
The thoughts of Ruben Amorim
“During the game, I felt that the team did some things well. We suffered two goals that we can avoid, which is really disappointing today. We take some things from the performance but not the result. It is a hard season at this moment, the players try different things to improve. We need to move forward. We had more possession, more connections, we created chances but we could not score and that was the difference today.”
On whether there is extra pressure playing at home:
“I did not feel that but it is difficult to play here because we want to please our fans. This season is going to be like that, I said it since the first day.”
On the January transfer window:
“That is with a lot of people in the club, I focus on the next game.”
04:18 PM GMT
Dean Henderson speaking to the BBC
“You put in that hard work every day to become a team that is hard to beat.”
On the defence in front of him:
“They are loads better from the start of the season. We had new players come in and the positions have evolved. They have been fantastic and they made my day easy.”
On whether the win is even more special as a former Manchester United player:
“Obviously it is nice to come back and get the win [at Old Trafford] but more importantly to get the three points and keep climbing up the table.”
04:15 PM GMT
Ange Postecoglou talking to Sky
“It is always a challenge here [at Brentford], especially at home they are hard to beat. Brilliant effort from the lads, backing up from Thursday night, [we] needed a big effort again today. We put that in, they had a lot of set pieces and we dealt with them awfully well. I think we defended as well as we have all season, and we still had the quality to hurt them the other way. Outstanding effort by the players.
“I do not think they had many clear-cut chances, there was a lot of balls in the box but when you are throwing them in from the touchline then you cannot avoid that. They had a lot of corners but we got the first contact, we had challenges in there.
“I thought the lads handled that part of it really well. We still had to play, outstanding second goal from us. Great football and credit to the lads. It is not easy coming here particularly after a big game on Thursday night, I think they handled it really well.”
04:13 PM GMT
The thoughts of Jean-Philippe Mateta
“I am feeling fantastic! We won these three points, we worked hard and I am very happy.
On the plan to beat Manchester United:
“We know how they play with the new manager, we worked on a plan during the week and we stuck to the plan. We listened to the manager and worked hard and I think we deserve this win.
“I just put my head down and worked hard and I think sometimes when you do that, you get the reward.”
04:09 PM GMT
Meanwhile in north London
Arsenal are taking on Manchester City at the Emirates, with kick-off at 4.30pm. You can follow the build-up and the match action from that match with our dedicated live blog.
04:07 PM GMT
Leon Osman on BBC Radio 5 Live
“I fancied Crystal Palace to win this game and that’s the way it has turned out. Manchester Utd could not get their heads around the new system.
“Crystal Palace worked it out and grew into the game - they will be delighted with how they used [Eberechi] Eze from the bench. Where do Manchester Utd go from here?
“Ruben Amorim has an awful a lot to do. He knew there was a massive job, nobody expected him to hit the ground running.
“Top players should be able to work the system out, but they are not competitive enough. They are not physically demanding enough. Crystal Palace out-ran them and out-thought them.”
04:06 PM GMT
This weekend’s Premier League fixtures
Saturday:
Nottingham Forest 7-0 Brighton
Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
Everton 4-0 Leicester
Ipswich 1-2 Southampton
Newcastle 1-2 Fulham
Wolves 2-0 Aston Villa
Sunday:
Brentford 0-2 Tottenham
Manchester United 0-2 Crystal Palace
Arsenal vs Manchester City 4.30pm
Monday:
Chelsea vs West Ham 8pm
04:04 PM GMT
Home horrors for Manchester United
13 - Since the beginning of last season only Wolves (16) have lost more Premier League home games than Manchester United (13). Pantomime. pic.twitter.com/55zP2PohoY
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 2, 2025
04:01 PM GMT
Victory for Tottenham
Tottenham’s players huddled near the away fans shortly after the final whistle before applauding the Spurs supporters. This feels like a big, big win for Ange Postecoglou and his team.
03:57 PM GMT
Full time at Old Trafford
It is all over and Crystal Palace have secured a 0-2 win at Manchester United thanks to a double from Mateta. The hosts fall to defeat and lost Martinez to injury in the latter stages of the match. That is seven defeats at home in the league this season for Manchester United. Crystal Palace go above Manchester United into 12th in the Premier League.
The Theatre of Palace 🦅#CPFC // #MUNCRY
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 2, 2025
03:55 PM GMT
90+6 mins: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 2
Hojlund has a late effort for the hosts in attempt to get a goal back but his attempt goes just wide.
03:53 PM GMT
Full time in west London
It is all over at the Gtech Community Stadium and Tottenham claim all three points.
Three points on the road! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/RP3wX4GVqN
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 2, 2025
03:50 PM GMT
90 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 2
As we head into four minutes of added time, Mbeumo sends in a free-kick that he won just outside the box on the right. His shot is poor though and goes well over Kinsky’s bar.
03:47 PM GMT
GOAL! Mateta gets his second at Old Trafford
Is it game, set and match in Manchester? Mateta gave Crystal Palace the lead in the first half and now the visitors have their second from the same man. There was a VAR check for offside but it is cleared.
Nine added minutes but Crystal Palace will feel it is job done.
03:45 PM GMT
GOAL! Sarr doubles Tottenham’s advantage
That could well be game, set and match. Bentancur finds Son on the left and the ball is then played through to Sarr, who makes a great run forward, inside the box. He plays it through the legs of the on-rushing Valdimarsson and Tottenham are surely heading to three points.
03:45 PM GMT
86 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 1
Carvalho is only just on and nearly makes an instant impact. From a long throw-in, he then has an effort from around six yards out but Spence clears on the line.
03:44 PM GMT
87 mins: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 1
Eriksen is on for Ugarte.
03:43 PM GMT
84 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 1
Tottenham have a corner as Son’s cross from the left-hand side of the box is blocked behind by van den Berg. Son’s corner is flicked on at the near post but van den Berg does really well to head away. Tottenham keep it alive and Kulusevski sends in a cross to the back post, where Scarlett cannot quite get on the end of it.
Brentford are bringing on Carvalho for Norgaard.
03:39 PM GMT
82 mins: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 1
After a lengthy stoppage, Martinez is being stretchered off. De Ligt is coming on for him.
Martinez looked very emotional as he was taken off on a stretcher with what looks like his third serious injury at United after a broken metatarsal at the end of his first season (which was then aggravated) and a medial collateral knee injury 12 months ago.
03:37 PM GMT
79 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 1
Richarlison’s number is up but he takes an age to get off. He is very lucky not to have been shown a yellow card for those antics. Scarlett is coming on for him.
03:36 PM GMT
79 mins: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 1
Martinez is in some pain here and is going to have to be stretchered off with what looks like a fairly serious knee injury.
Martinez has gone down awkwardly after challenging with Sarr and signals to come off almost immediately. Currently lying flat as he’s treated by medical staff. A worrying sight.
Palace fans amusing themselves during the break in play. “Amorim’s right, your team is s****” and “you’re going down with Southampton”. If United lose this it will be their fifth defeat in their last six league games and Palace’s second successive league win at Old Trafford.
03:34 PM GMT
76 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 1
Brentford’s newest signing Kayode is coming on for the last 15 minutes of normal time, in place of Ajer.
Kayode is straight into the action as his cross from the right-hand side of the box is put behind for a corner by Davies. Mbeumo sends in a dangerous delivery and Tottenham do well to clear.
03:32 PM GMT
75 mins: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 1
The bookings are starting to flow at Old Trafford and Ugarte is the latest man to be shown a yellow card. He was booked last weekend against Fulham for an obvious yellow-card offence and this one was similar as he bundled over Sarr. That is Ugarte’s eighth yellow in the Premier League this season.
03:29 PM GMT
70 mins: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 1
Hughes is booked for a cynical trip on Hojlund.
03:28 PM GMT
68 mins: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 1
Manchester United started without a recognised striker on the pitch but he is now bringing Hojlund and Zirkzee on at the same time. Mazraoui and Mainoo make way.
03:26 PM GMT
68 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 1
Tottenham are making an alteration in midfield as Sarr comes on for Bissouma.
03:25 PM GMT
66 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 1
Brentford are making a change as Jensen replaces Janelt.
03:21 PM GMT
GOAL! Crystal Palace take the lead at Old Trafford
Mateta gives the visitors the lead in Manchester. A free-kick is sent in by Eze and the initial effort from Lacroix loops into the air and comes back off the bar. Mateta knocks in the rebound but Manchester United are furious they were not given a free-kick during the build-up. Fernandes is booked for his protestations and the goal stands. Crystal Palace lead just past the hour mark.
And so it proves. Lovely free kick by Eze is met with a firm header by Lacroix that canons back off the post to Mateta to tap in for his 9th Premier League goal of the campaign. Martinez’s challenge on Sarr, piling through the back of the Palace forward, was needless.
03:19 PM GMT
61 mins: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 0
Crystal Palace make their first change as Eze, who was a big doubt for today’s game, comes on for Kamada.
Eze coming on for Palace. This game needs an injection of quality. Maybe the Palace attacking midfielder will provide it.
03:19 PM GMT
60 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 1
Tottenham come very close to going two goals up on the hour mark. Bergvall, on as a substitute at half time, shoots from the edge of the box but his effort goes just wide.
03:14 PM GMT
55 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 1
Bentancur finds Kulusveski in the channel on the right-hand side of the area but the Swede’s effort hits the side netting.
03:13 PM GMT
54 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 1
Brentford are all over Tottenham here and should be level. The ball is sent in from the left and Wissa has an opportunity from just outside the six-yard box. He somehow lifts his effort over the bar and he really should have buried that chance.
03:11 PM GMT
52 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 1
Norgaard sends in a dangerous ball towards the far post that Kinsky does not do a great job of parrying away. Porro clears it to Schade on the left-hand side of the box and his effort is over the bar.
03:10 PM GMT
51 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 1
Schade tries to find Damsgaard at the far post with a cross from the left-hand side of the box but the delivery is over-hit and the chance is gone.
03:08 PM GMT
50 mins: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 0
Chance for the hosts. Fernandes takes on a shot which is saved by former Manchester United goalkeeper Henderson.
03:07 PM GMT
48 mins: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 0
An early booking in the second half at Old Trafford as Maguire is shown a yellow card after a heavy challenge on Mateta.
03:03 PM GMT
Second halves
We are back under way at Old Trafford and the Gtech Community Stadium. Tottenham are making a change at the break as Bergvall is coming on for Moore. No changes at the break at Old Trafford.
02:58 PM GMT
Rashford out, Dorgu in as Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United revolution begins
Marcus Rashford is undergoing a medical ahead of his surprise loan move to Aston Villa from Manchester United.
Villa are set to cover 75 per cent of Rashford’s £325,000-a-week wages and have an option to sign the England forward permanently for £40 million in the summer. Depending on a number of performance-related bonuses, Villa could end up paying up to 90 per cent of Rashford’s salary.
Rashford had been holding out for a loan move to Barcelona but any such deal was always going to be fraught with complications. However, Villa’s late move appealed to Rashford with the player attracted by the offer of Champions League football and aware of the impressive job Unai Emery has done at the Midlands club and the impact he has had with attackers.
James Ducker has the full story.
02:57 PM GMT
Later in north London
Arsenal take on Manchester City at the Emirates at 4.30pm and you can follow along with all the build-up with our dedicated live blog.
02:54 PM GMT
HT verdict from Manchester
Things started fairly brightly but have very much petered out in the first half at Old Trafford. Two teams at present lacking cutting edge although United were grateful to Onana for keeping out Mateta after Lerma bullied Ugarte off the ball to play the Palace striker in behind. Not a game for the purists out there. Hopefully the second period offers more.
02:48 PM GMT
HT in west London
That is that also at the end of the first half at the Gtech Community Stadium and Tottenham lead thanks to Janelt’s own goal.
02:47 PM GMT
HT at Old Trafford
The first half is finshed in Manchester United and it remains goalless.
02:47 PM GMT
45 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 1
Brentford have a late corner in two minutes of added time as Gray blocked Mbeumo’s cross. They have another corner, which Tottenham head out to the edge of the area. Mbeumo fires a shot towards goal but Richarlison makes a crucial block with his head. That ball was travelling.
02:44 PM GMT
44 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 1
Richarlison goes down wanting a penalty on the left-hand side of the Brentford penalty area but it looks like Schade got the ball and VAR quickly checks and sticks with the original decision. Richarlison went down far too easily and Schade got the ball.
02:41 PM GMT
41 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 1
Son is the first man into the book in west London as he cynically pulls Mbeumo back and he knew that yellow card was coming.
02:40 PM GMT
39 mins: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 0
Big chance for Crystal Palace. Mateta is played through and dinks his effort over Onana but it goes wide. Crystal Palace want a corner, believing the last touch came off Onana, but a goal-kick is given. It appeared it may have taken a small touch off Onana.
There is some frustration growing inside Old Trafford. Manchester United probably started the better side but the visitors have grown into this game.
02:38 PM GMT
38 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 1
Kulusevski cuts the ball across the six-yard box trying to find a teammate but Richarlison is not on hand to take advantage of that cross. Kulusevski did not look that impressed that no-one was there to meet it.
02:36 PM GMT
35 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 1
Moore goes down inside the Brentford box after feeling hands on his back from Collins but those appeals are waved away. VAR did take a quick look but fairly promptly allow play to continue. They may have regarded that as a little soft and not enough to overturn the original decision.
We have just seen replays of a challenge from Richarlison on Mbeumo in the build-up to that incident and Richarlison did make contact quite high on Mbeumo with that challenge.
Brentford’s goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson (not an easy one to spell) has just been over to the Brentford bench to get instruction while his team were preparing to take a corner. It’s not been an ideal first start for him so far.
02:34 PM GMT
33 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 1
After good work from Ajer dribbling his way into the Tottenham box, the ball comes to Norgaard around 12 yards out. He takes on the effort and his stinging shot is straight at Kinsky. Had it not been straight at him that would surely have been a goal.
02:28 PM GMT
GOAL! Tottenham have the lead in west London
The visitors take the lead and it was a messy goal for Brentford to concede. Son sends in a corner and Valdimarsson, on his first Premier League start for Brentford, makes a meal of trying to punch the ball away. He shows no authority and the ball ends up coming off Janelt and into the back of the net. Valdimarrson should have dealt with that cross.
02:28 PM GMT
27 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 0
Mbeumo is found in space on the right with a ball over the top and he makes his way into the Tottenham box. He cuts inside onto his preferred left boot and takes aim but his effort is fairly easily saved by Kinsky.
02:25 PM GMT
25 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 0
Moore cuts in from the right onto his left foot and sends in a dangerous cross towards the far post. Collins has Richarlison right behind him and makes a good clearance under pressure.
02:24 PM GMT
23 mins: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 0
Crystal Palace come close to taking the lead. Sarr gets his head on Mitchell’s ball across but he cannot keep his effort on target and his attempt goes flashing past the post.
02:23 PM GMT
23 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 0
Janelt sends in a cross from the left which finds the head of Wissa, who cannot keep his header down and it goes well over Kinsky’s bar.
02:22 PM GMT
21 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 0
Great opportunity for Tottenham. The ball is sent in from the left by Spence and first Richarlison has a chance to take on the shot but his flick-on is not great. Moore cannot then take on a shot of his own but the ball comes back to Kuluesvki on the edge of the box. The Brentford defenders do well to block Kulusveski’s effort and the hosts can clear.
02:20 PM GMT
20 mins: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 0
United on top at the moment against Palace, who are just starting to wake up. Succession of United corners have been scrambled clear. Mainoo hit a post. Yoro should have done better with a header. Two problems for United: one being transitioned from their own corner. Lacroix has just had a powerful low drive saved. And defending their own box from aerial balls - Munoz sent a header over after Dalot ducked under Mitchell’s inswinger.
02:19 PM GMT
19 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 0
Schade gets past Porro on the left-hand side of the box and the chance looks like it has opened up for him but Gray steps in with a crucial block to deny the Brentford forward.
02:14 PM GMT
14 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 0
You do not see that much these days goalkeeper wearing caps but with the sun quite low in west London Valdimarsson puts on a cap but it does not last long as he whips it off fairly quickly.
02:13 PM GMT
12 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 0
Chance for Brentford. It all stems from Kinsky looking very uncomfortable and nervous on the ball. The ball then ends up on the right, where Mbeumo stands up a good cross into the centre of the box but Wissa’s header goes just over. Brentford want a corner but goal-kick given.
02:11 PM GMT
10 mins: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 0
Crystal Palace make their first real foray forward and Munoz nearly gets himself on to the scoresheet but his header goes just over the bar. Close for the visitors.
02:09 PM GMT
9 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 0
Brentford earn themselves a corner as Schade’s cross looking for Wissa is blocked by Gray behind for a corner. Damsgaard sends in an inswinger but Davies heads away.
02:07 PM GMT
7 mins: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 0
The first big chance of the match at Old Trafford falls to the hosts as Mainoo’s deflected strike comes back off the outside of the post. Mainoo, normally a central midfielder, is being deployed today by Ruben Amorim as a false nine with no recognised striker on the pitch for the home side.
02:06 PM GMT
6 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 0
Tottenham’s first opportunity comes from the right-hand side of the area as Kulusevski’s attempted shot ends up becoming a ball across that Richarlison cannot quite stretch to get on the end of.
02:04 PM GMT
4 mins: Manchester United 0 Crystal Palace 0
It’s a surprise but Mainoo - who impressed as a No. 10 in midweek against FCSB - is deployed as a false nine, with Garnacho and Amad as 10s and Bruno Fernandes deeper alongside Ugarte. Suffice to say Amorim has yet to work out the best positions for these players.
There is no Marcus Rashford in the Manchester United squad as he undergoes a medical at Aston Villa.
02:03 PM GMT
3 mins: Brentford 0 Tottenham 0
Early opportunity for the hosts which they probably should have taken. Damsgaard has the chance to shoot at goal from around 10 yards out but does not take the effort on first time as a teammate gets in the way. He then does get a shot off but it is blocked. Had he hit it at the first opportunity that would have been a great chance to get the opening goal of the match after just three minutes.
02:00 PM GMT
Kick-offs
We are under way at Old Trafford and the Gtech Community Stadium.
01:56 PM GMT
Kick-offs fast approaching
The sides are out at both Old Trafford and the Gtech Community Stadium and we are just moments away from kick-off in Manchester and west London.
They’ve just played a rendition of the Flowers of Manchester in memory of the Munich air disaster victims, with this being the closest home match to the tragedy on Feb 6, 1958. Flags are at half mast and the ‘We’ll Never Die’ surfer banner is being displayed in the lower Stretford End now the players are walking out.
01:56 PM GMT
Manchester United unveil new signings
The Old Trafford crowd have just been welcoming two new additions at Manchester United; Patrick Dorgu from Lecce and Ayden Heaven from Arsenal.
Different journeys, same destination ❤️#MUFC pic.twitter.com/wPG2iyjjcm
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 2, 2025
01:53 PM GMT
Reminder of the teams at Old Trafford
Manchester Utd: Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Fernandes, Yoro, Amad, Garnacho, Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo.
Substitutes: Bayindir, Harrison, Lindelof, De Ligt, Hojlund, Zirkzee, Eriksen, Casemiro, Collyer.
Crystal Palace: Henderson, Mitchell, Lacroix, Guehi, Sarr, Lerma, Munoz, Mateta, Kamada, Hughes, Richards.
Substitutes: Turner, Nketiah, Eze, Schlupp, Clyne, Wharton, Esse, Devenny, Kporha.
01:51 PM GMT
Reminder of the teams in west London
Brentford: Valdimarsson, Lewis-Potter, Van den Berg, Collins, Ajer, Janelt, Norgaard, Schade, Damsgaard, Mbeumo, Wissa.
Substitutes: Eyestone, Mee, Pinnock, Kayode, Jensen, Carvalho, Konak, Yarmoliuk, Maghoma.
Tottenham: Kinsky, Gray, Davies, Spence, Porro, Bissouma, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Son, Richarlison, Moore.
Substitutes: Austin, Reguilon, Bergvall, Cassanova, Ajayi, Olusesi, Hardy, Sarr, Scarlett.
01:47 PM GMT
Oliver Glasner talking to PLP
On Eberechi Eze:
“It looked like he was not available, but surprisingly for all of us he could train yesterday and he felt OK. It is very positive as he did not train all week, it is not possible for him to start, but he is ready to contribute.
“He gives us a good option from the bench. We talked about what we want to improve for the game here and we want to go with higher play and a higher pace.”
On Manchester Utd:
“Of course, I can see improvements step-by-step with the new manager and the system they are playing.
“They are consistent with the players they are playing. The way they are playing is better.”
01:43 PM GMT
Sky’s Jamie Carragher on Brentford vs Tottenham
“I will be absolutely shocked if Tottenham go there [to Brentford] and win today. When I look at that back four, they have been decimated.
“If they concede fewer than three goals today, I will be surprised. I am not criticising. They are young kids. When I look at the individual players, they are not centre-backs.
“If they get out of there without conceding two goals, I will be shocked.”
01:40 PM GMT
Tottenham out to warm up
Let's go ✊
🌟 @BetMGMUK pic.twitter.com/EnhW8t1wMz— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 2, 2025
01:39 PM GMT
Thomas Frank speaking to Sky
“Mark [Flekken] got a side strain two days ago, so unfortunately he cannot play but [I have] full confidence in Hakon [Valdimarsson]. He did well when he came on against Brighton [in December]. He has looked really good in the last couple months in training, so [I am] not in doubt he will do well.
“I expect a lot of transitions, open situations for both teams. For us, it is to minimise the open situations going against us, so try to have plus one in the rest defence all the time when possible. And to try to exploit Tottenham when they are open.
“Tottenham are really good in transitions, almost close to be as good as Liverpool. [Against] Liverpool we really managed that well but we had 10 very good situations where we did not benefit from. Hopefully we can do that today.”
01:35 PM GMT
Ange Postecoglou speaking to Sky about a start for Mikey Moore
“Mikey’s working his way back to full fitness, he obviously missed a fair bit of football. He is always positive on the ball, I think we are going to need that today and we are trying to balance the workload of our players as well. The three in midfield only played 45 minutes on Thursday night and we are going to need that energy. We have got Pape [Sarr] and Lucas [Bergvall] to come on.
“Our league form is not what it should be and I think in all the game we have lost and again were getting let down in moments in games, it is not like we are getting blown apart by teams.
“It does take some concentration and some discipline in our football and we are going to need that today. With Brentford at home, it is always a hard challenge. The players are up for it.”
01:28 PM GMT
Paying tribute
The most poignant matchday in our calendar.
Paying tribute to those we lost in the Munich Air Disaster as we approach the 67th anniversary.#FlowersOfManchester 🌹 pic.twitter.com/mXWE0enCy1— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 2, 2025
01:25 PM GMT
Flekken’s absence explained
Thomas Frank on Mark Flekken
"Mark picked up a side strain two days ago so unfortunately he can't play. I have full confidence in Hákon Valdimarsson; he did well against Brighton when he came on" pic.twitter.com/GrsT5aKMVd— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) February 2, 2025
01:22 PM GMT
Crystal Palace arriving at Old Trafford
Touched down in Manny 👋#CPFC // #MUNCRY pic.twitter.com/doBUmBBLiY
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 2, 2025
01:20 PM GMT
Rashford is damaged goods – but this can be a good deal for him, Villa and even United
Given how messy and fraught Marcus Rashford’s career at Manchester United has become, his loan move to Aston Villa is one of those curious situations. It has the capability to be a win-win. Or, indeed, a win-win-win.
If Unai Emery can coax back from Rashford the effectiveness that had coaches, including Pep Guardiola, purring about his potential earlier in his career, then it can be a successful deal not just for the player and United but for Villa also.
It is said that more than 30 clubs from around Europe enquired about taking the England international on loan this month. Whether all of those inquiries were of any real substance remains doubtful but we know that he had hoped to secure a move to Barcelona. And may still hanker after that.
Our chief football correspondent Jason Burt has his say on Rashford.
01:17 PM GMT
Ange Postecoglou explains Micky van de Ven’s absence today
“We are just trying to manage his minutes,” Postecoglou explained. “It is a quick turnaround and speaking with the medical team and Micky himself, we will just keep him on ice this weekend, give him another week training and then hopefully he will be ready for the end of the week.”
01:16 PM GMT
Tottenham arrive in West London
Arrived in West London 📌 pic.twitter.com/lnIbEK49SC
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 2, 2025
01:13 PM GMT
A start in goal for Brentford for Valdimarsson
A full #PL debut for the Iceman ❄️🇮🇸@motorscouk | #BRETOT pic.twitter.com/NiFnbMo3h3
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) February 2, 2025
01:09 PM GMT
Aston Villa close in on Rashford loan as Man Utd talks include option to buy
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford is close to a loan move to Aston Villa with an option to buy at the end of the season.
The surprise deal comes after Villa sanctioned the departure of Jhon Durán to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Rashford’s £325,000-a-week wages are an obstacle but it is understood Villa are prepared to pay a significant portion of his salary, amid optimism an agreement can be reached and Rashford keen on the move. It is understood a deal would include an option rather, than an obligation, at this stage to make the switch permanent, depending on whether the loan works out for both parties. Sources have told Telegraph Sport that Rashford is keen on remaining in Manchester, so would commute to Villa training.
For more on this story from John Percy, click here.
01:06 PM GMT
Full team news from the Gtech Community Stadium
Iceland international goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson makes his first Premier League start for Brentford as Mark Flekken misses out entirely.
Brentford: Valdimarsson, Lewis-Potter, Van den Berg, Collins, Ajer, Janelt, Norgaard, Schade, Damsgaard, Mbeumo, Wissa.
Substitutes: Eyestone, Mee, Pinnock, Kayode, Jensen, Carvalho, Konak, Yarmoliuk, Maghoma.
Ange Postecoglou makes four changes from the Tottenham starting XI that began the 3-0 win over Elfsborg in the Europa League on Thursday, with 17-year-old striker Mikey Moore, who scored in that match, keeping his place in the side. Antonin Kinsky returns in goal and there are also starts for Djed Spence and Dejan Kulusevski. Micky van de Ven, who returned from injury on Thursday, is not in the matchday squad and neither is Radu Dragusin, who picked up an injury against Elfsborg.
Tottenham: Kinsky, Gray, Davies, Spence, Porro, Bissouma, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Son, Richarlison, Moore.
Substitutes: Austin, Reguilon, Bergvall, Cassanova, Ajayi, Olusesi, Hardy, Sarr, Scarlett.
01:02 PM GMT
Full team news from Old Trafford
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim makes six changes from Thursday’s 2-0 Europa League win over FCSB. Alejandro Garnacho starts despite ongoing transfer speculation. Andre Onana, Harry Maguire, Lenny Yoro, Amad Diallo and Manuel Ugarte also come into the starting XI. There is no Marcus Rashford in the matchday squad as he closes in on a loan move to Aston Villa.
Manchester Utd: Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Fernandes, Yoro, Amad, Garnacho, Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo.
Substitutes: Bayindir, Harrison, Lindelof, De Ligt, Hojlund, Zirkzee, Eriksen, Casemiro, Collyer.
Oliver Glasner makes one change to his Crystal Palace starting line-up after last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Brentford. Daichi Kamada comes in for Eberechi Eze.
Crystal Palace: Henderson, Mitchell, Lacroix, Guehi, Sarr, Lerma, Munoz, Mateta, Kamada, Hughes, Richards.
Substitutes: Turner, Nketiah, Eze, Schlupp, Clyne, Wharton, Esse, Devenny, Kporha.
12:59 PM GMT
No recognised striker in Manchester United starting XI
It’s a reflection of where United are that Amorim is starting with neither of two available strikers against Palace. Both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are on the bench. With Marcus Rashford on his way to Aston Villa and Antony having joined Real Betis, Amad Diallo looks like he’ll be the centre forward with Alejandro Garnacho and either Bruno Fernandes or Kobbie Mainoo in behind as No. 10s. It’s fair to say this team is crying out for a centre forward.
12:58 PM GMT
Tottenham complete stunning hijack of Danso move to Wolves
Tottenham Hotspur have completed their stunning hijack of Kevin Danso’s move to Wolverhampton Wanderers, signing the Austria defender on an initial loan deal.
Danso, 26, had been on the brink of moving to Molineux with a deal virtually agreed with French clubs Lens, before Spurs intervened in dramatic circumstances on Saturday.
Spurs have now confirmed that their deal for Danso, which includes an obligation to buy the player on a permanent basis in the summer for around £20 million, has been completed.
Mike McGrath has the full story.
12:52 PM GMT
This weekend’s Premier League fixtures
Saturday:
Nottingham Forest 7-0 Brighton
Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
Everton 4-0 Leicester
Ipswich 1-2 Southampton
Newcastle 1-2 Fulham
Wolves 2-0 Aston Villa
Sunday:
Brentford vs Tottenham
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace
Arsenal vs Manchester City
Monday:
Chelsea vs West Ham
12:47 PM GMT
Tottenham team news
Your team to face Brentford ✊
🔢 @krakenfx pic.twitter.com/i5DVN8HFPy— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 2, 2025
12:46 PM GMT
Brentford team news
Your Bees to take on Spurs 🐝 pic.twitter.com/MvbmUraFll
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) February 2, 2025
12:46 PM GMT
Crystal Palace team news
Your Palace in yellow 💛#CPFC // #MUNCRY
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 2, 2025
12:46 PM GMT
Manchester United team news
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 2, 2025
12:39 PM GMT
Match previews
Brentford welcome Tottenham to the Gtech Community Stadium with the pressure on the visiting manager. Ange Postecoglou’s side come into this afternoon’s match down in 16th place, just seven points clear of the relegation zone. Tottenham have lost six of their last seven Premier League matches, with no side picking up fewer points (one) since 22nd December.
Tottenham come into today’s match after booking their place in the Europa League last 16 courtesy of a 3-0 home win against Elfsborg on Thursday night. 17-year-old Mikey Moore made history in the process by breaking Jimmy Greaves’ record to become Tottenham’s youngest-ever English scorer in major men’s European competition.
They did however suffer another injury blow with Romanian defender Radu Dragusin going off injured in the second half having only come on at half time for the returning Micky van de Ven. He joins the likes of Dominic Solanke, James Maddison and Cristian Romero on the treatment table. Postecoglou has confirmed that the likes of Guglielmo Vicario, Brennan Johnson and Destiny Udogie will be back soon but not quite yet.
Meanwhile Thomas Frank’s side sit in 11th place after a 2-1 win away at Crystal Palace last weekend. The hosts will have Christian Norgaard, Kevin Schade and Ethan Pinnock available. Norgaard and Schade were taken off in their win over Crystal Palace last weekend but are fit. Rico Henry will miss today’s game but new signing Michael Kayode could make his Brentford debut.
In the reverse fixture back in September Tottenham came from 1-0 down to win 3-1. Bryan Mbeumo had given Brentford the lead inside the first minute but Tottenham came back to take all three points. Brentford have won just one of their seven Premier League meetings against Tottenham, with Ange Postecoglou’s side winning the last two meetings 3-1 and 3-2, both at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. All three of the meetings at the Gtech Community Stadium have ended in a draw, the last coming in August 2023 when the sides drew 2-2.
We will also be proving updates from Old Trafford where 12th-place Manchester United host 13th-place Crystal Palace, with on place and two points separating the sides in the league table. Ruben Amorim’s booked their place in the Europa League last 16 after a 2-0 win at FCSB. Crystal Palace were last in action a week ago, when they fell to a 1-2 home defeat to Brentford.
Team news to follow shortly.
