Crystal Palace v Manchester United: Premier League – live

12.56pm GMT Half-time reading: Related: How the Guardian ranked the 100 best female footballers in the world 2025 12.53pm GMT Half-time: Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester United Palace should really be 2-0 up, but United still have a chance to rescue this game if they get their act together. 12.52pm GMT 45+3 min: De Ligt slips at the crucial moment and Nketiah races clean through on goal from the half-way line. There is initially no United player within 15 yards of the Palace striker, but Nketiah takes an age to steady himself as he approaches Lammens, and Shaw comes out of nowhere to make a huge last-ditch tackle! Credit to Shaw but Nketiah simply dallied way too long on that. A massive chance for Palace to double their lead goes begging. Updated at 12.53pm GMT 12.49pm GMT 45 min: Five minutes added on here. United need to regroup at half-time. 12.48pm GMT 42 min: Wharton has been the best player on the pitch this half and slides in to dispossess Mount. I know that Elliott Anderson has been excellent for Forest and England this season but Wharton has to be pushing to be the starter for England in central midfield. Updated at 12.51pm GMT 12.45pm GMT 40 min: “Utterly ludicrous challenge from Yoro,” emails Joshua Keeling. “United haven’t been brilliant, but they’d looked comfortable up to that point. They’ll probably go on to lose this now. If they do, Amorim will get the blame, but how is a tackle like that his fault? I would argue that United got exactly what they deserved. Palace have had at least half-a-dozen good chances, including Mateta’s one-on-one that he should have buried. Yes, Yoro is massively at fault for that tackle, but the pressure applied by Palace has been almost constant. United have looked dangerous from set pieces – they have scored 32% of their goals this season from corners – but nobody would say that they have been the better side here, and Amorim must have some responsibility for that, especially against a side that is also playing 3-4-3. One-nil to Palace feels fair to me. 12.41pm GMT 38 min: It looks like Sarr has not recovered from that earlier injury, and the Senegalese – another one who should depart for Afcon in a few weeks – is replaced by Eddie Nketiah in Palace’s first substitution. 12.39pm GMT GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester United (Mateta 36) Always an awkward one, retaking a penalty. Does one go the same way? Mateta sidefoots the ball into the opposite corner, to Lammens’ left and Palace have a well-deserved lead. The United keeper had no chance. Updated at 12.44pm GMT 12.37pm GMT MATETA SCORES BUT WILL HAVE TO RETAKE THE PENALTY! Mateta scores the penalty, but replays show that he kicked the ball into his standing foot as he took the spot kick. After a VAR check, the Palace striker is forced to retake the penalty. Updated at 12.41pm GMT 12.35pm GMT PENALTY TO PALACE! Wharton unlocks the United defence with a tin-opener of a pass, Mateta gets beyond Yoro, who stumbles into the Palace striker. Mateta hits the deck, referee Robert Jones points to the spot, and the square root of nobody can have any complaints. 12.33pm GMT 29 min: Mason Mount has been busy for United, in a good way. 12.32pm GMT 27 min: As reported earlier, Billy Bonds – legendary West Ham player and manager – died this morning, aged 79. You can read more about that here. Related: Billy Bonds, legendary West Ham player and manager, dies aged 79 12.30pm GMT 25 min: Great block from Yoro to deny Pino! Munoz delivers a peach of a cross to the back post, Lammens flaps but only tips the ball to the feet of Pino. With Lammens scrambling to his feet, and United defenders clambering to guard the goal, Yoro throws himself in front of Palace’s Spaniard, with Pino’s shot rebounding away. 12.26pm GMT 23 min: Zirkzee hasn’t scored in 24 Premier League appearances, he is plainly not good enough to lead this United attack, if the club have any designs on qualifying for Europe. I’m not quite sure what his USP is. He’s not quick, he doesn’t have the knack of sniffing out a chance, he’s 6ft4in, but doesn’t seem to be particularly dominant in the air or even hold up play. The ball is pinging off him like a tennis racket. Updated at 12.27pm GMT 12.23pm GMT 20 min: That sunshine is providing plenty of bother to United’s defenders and goalkeepers, who are looking directly into the rays. A couple of Palace corners cause a bit of chaos, as United struggle to head the ball away, but the visitors survive. Updated at 12.34pm GMT 12.21pm GMT 18 min: A frustrating opening few minutes for Manchester United crystallises with Mbeumo petulantly throwing the ball away after losing a duel. A yellow card for dissent. 12.19pm GMT 15 min: Golden chance for Mateta! De Ligt loses a long ball in De Light, and the ball cannons off Yoro and straight into the path of Mateta. The Frenchman is clean through, but drags his shot wide! Yoro perhaps did just enough to put the Palace striker off, but Mateta really should have scored! 12.17pm GMT 13 min: Palace are next to hurl a long throw into the box, and the ball falls kindly to Wharton on the edge of the box … his fierce shot flies straight into the midriff of Lammens. That was a good half chance for Wharton to score his first goal for Palace. 12.14pm GMT 12 min: Palace have been the better side, but United have come the closest to scoring with two set pieces. That feels like a familiar story this season. 12.12pm GMT 10 min: Casemiro has had a lively start after that first-minute chance. Now, the United veteran wins a free-kick after turning Kamada and from the resulting set-piece, Fernandes curls a beauty of a cross to the back post, where Casemiro heads wide! He should really have hit the target after climbing above Guehi. 12.10pm GMT 7 min: Mateta is hardly the most agile of forwards, but gives De Ligt the slip before driving into the box and shooting just wide of the near post. Dreadful defending from United’s Dutch defender, who must have been relieved to see Mateta’s effort go into the side netting. 12.08pm GMT 5 min: Sarr looks like he has rolled his ankle after landing awkwardly, following a tackle from Diallo. The Palace man receives treatment but Palace are temporarily down to 10 men as Sarr recovers on the sideline. 12.06pm GMT 3 min: Henderson, who is not shy to wearing a cap from memory, was of course at United for 12 years before his permanent move to Palace in 2023. He has already made a huge contribution against his former side. 12.05pm GMT 1 min: United come within a whisker of taking the lead inside the first minute! Dalot launches a long throw into the box, De Ligt flicks it on at the near post and Casemiro steals in at the back post. There is an almighty scramble as the ball pinballs around the six-yards box, with Henderson making a point-blank save to deny the United’s Brazilian on the line! Wow, Casemiro should really have scored and Henderson triumphantly raises a fist to the Palace fans behind him, celebrating what was a vital save. Updated at 12.09pm GMT 12.02pm GMT Peeeeeeeeep! And we’re underway in south London. Palace in their red and blue home kit, United in their white away kit. “Will Manchester United manage a draw today?” asks Jeremy Boyce. “Looking at their sweet and sour form, possibly not. Especially now that Palace have become a decent benchmark for being solid and consistent and playing above their level. They have Glasner to thank for that and, depending on the outcome of today/this season, we might be witnessing the next lines of Glasner’s CV to be handed to Sir Jim if it all goes pear-shaped (no silverware) for Amorim.” 12.00pm GMT Very sobering news, that. But we must return to the live football, with Palace and United’s sides emerging into he sunshine at Selhurst Park. It’s cold and crisp, perfect for football, although the goalkeepers might not agree with that with the low sun in their eyes. It’s Senne Lammens that will face the sunshine first, without a cap. Maybe Palace will test him with a shot early doors. 11.49am GMT Breaking news: West Ham legend Billy Bonds dies aged 79 West Ham have released the following statement: One of the greatest competitors English football has ever seen, Billy passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, at the age of 79. He stands unrivalled as the longest-serving player in the club’s 130-year history, having made a total of 799 appearances across a magnificent 21-year career that saw him captain us to two FA Cup triumphs and a Second Division title, win four Hammer of the Year awards, and awarded two testimonials, a PFA merit award and an MBE for services to football. In February 1990, he was appointed as first-team manager, leading the club to promotion from Division Two and an FA Cup semi-final in 1991. After relegation in 1992, Bonds immediately led the Hammers back into the top-flight in 1993, as we became a Premier League Club for the first time. He left Upton Park in 1994 after 27 years of impeccable service, and in 2013 was presented with the club’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement award. In 2018 he was voted by fans as West Ham United’s greatest-ever player, and a year later made an emotional appearance at London Stadium when the Billy Bonds Stand was opened in his honour. The thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at West Ham United are with Claire, Katie, Eloise and Elissa as they come to terms with their loss, and we kindly ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this sad and difficult time. The family have made the following statement: “We are heartbroken to announce that we lost our beloved Dad today. He was devoted to his family and was the most kind, loyal, selfless, and loving person. “Dad loved West Ham United and its wonderful supporters with all his heart and treasured every moment of his time at the Club. “He will always be in our hearts and eternally missed. We take comfort knowing that his legacy will live on forever.” RIP Billy Bonds. Updated at 11.52am GMT 11.41am GMT We should say that the United starting XI today is quite an attacking one, so it makes sense to have defensive options on the bench. But further to Andrew’s email, there is no recognised forward player of any kind, so any injury to Diallo, Mbeumo, Mount or Zirkzee, and United are once again in trouble. The only player that is naturally offensive is Shea Lacey, an attacking midfielder or winger who is yet to make his first-team debut. The 18-year-old is highly-rated, though, and mentioned in this piece by Will Unwin regarding United’s academy. Related: Manchester United’s academy reeling from staff churn and Ratcliffe’s brickbats 11.38am GMT “How many defenders is that on the Manchester United bench?” emails Andrew Goudie. “Five? Is the plan to nick a goal and then park three buses?” This was one of the criticisms of United against Everton on Monday: that Amorim selected a bench unable to change the game when things were not working. It was bizarre that with United chasing the game against a 10-man side in a low block, he chose to bring on Diego Dalot at left wing-back. Dalot is a good footballer, but it was not a surprise that he offered very little going forward when he came on. Yes, United have had injuries recently but it’s unforgivable that they do not have more dangerous options in reserve given the hundreds of millions that have been spent. How Amorim improves United offensively in the next weeks, especially with both Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo leaving for Afcon, is going to be very interesting. 11.29am GMT It’s worth flagging that following their midweek matches in the Conference League, Palace’s league results immediately after are two losses and a 0-0 draw, completely at odds with the rest of their season. It’s fair to say that they are still acclimatising to the challenge of fighting on two different fronts, domestically and in Europe. 11.23am GMT Both Palace and United are playing 3-4-3 today, so both sides will be effectively marking each other man-to-man. Both managers have spoken to TNT about the tactical battle today. Palace’s Oliver Glasner: “It’s a funny story. It’s the third game within one week and always facing 3-4-3. It’s an interesting challenge. We always know what we want to do, regardless of the opposition system. It’s all about where we can find the spaces, how quick we can come away from tight areas. If we find the overloads and we are efficient, it will be crucial and we have a good chance to win the game.” Manchester United’s Ruben Amorim: “I make a rotation based upon training. If you train well, you are going to play. I think Palace fit our style. In the future we need to have more flexibility. It’s easy to compare the teams, it’s going to be a game man versus man.” 11.12am GMT The teams! Crystal Palace (3-4-3): Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Pino, Mateta. Subs: Benitez, Lerma, Nketiah, Uche, Clyne, Hughes, Esse, Canvot, Devenny. Manchester United (3-4-3): Lammens, Yoro, de Ligt, Shaw, Diallo, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot, Mbeumo, Mount, Zirkzee. Subs: Bayindir, Mazraoui, Martinez, Malacia, Dorgu, Ugarte, Heaven, Mainoo, Lacey. 11.12am GMT There were some interesting comments from Amorim in the lead up to this game. The United manager suggested that the pressure of playing for United is causing Patrick Dorgu to lose confidence, make poor decisions on the pitch. The Danish wing back has dropped to the bench today, with Dalot preferred at left wing-back. When I see them training they are doing so much better than in games,” he said. “Then Patrick, when I see him playing for the national team, he’s scored a great goal against Scotland [this month], the decision that he made under pressure was completely different [to calmly sidefoot home] to the decision[s] he’s making in our team. You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touches the ball. I can feel it, the anxiety.” Amorim cited Dorgu missing a chance to equalise in Monday’s 1-0 loss to Everton as an example. I remember the shot against Everton [dragging it wide]. That was easier than the decision that he had to make [against] Scotland – and I saw [his quality] when he played in Italy. But again, here [United] is different and sometimes the pressure is hard for them in the beginning, but he has time to improve. I just need to understand the context in trying to help them [Dorgu and Dalot]. They are far from their best, and they know it. Like a lot of players in our team, like myself. I just look at them, and think they have so much more to give. So let’s see this week if we can improve that.” Related: ‘I can feel the anxiety’: Amorim wants Dorgu to show Denmark form at Manchester United Updated at 11.17am GMT 11.00am GMT Preamble Well, isn’t this a novelty: a midday (GMT) kick-off on a Sunday. The roast dinner is gonna have to wait. Selhurst Park is looking replendent in this winter sunshine. For the Palace fans living in south London and beyond, it’s time to go to church. Let’s see if the United fans make it to the away end, the first train left Manchester Piccadilly on Sunday at 8.05am and arrived at London Euston around the time that this liveblog launched. That gives them just under an hour to make a 45-minute journey, which is almost certain to be longer anyone that needs a snack/drink/the toilet or those that aren’t intimately familiar with London’s public transport. So basically everyone. The unusual kick-off time is a result of TNT Sports choosing it for broadcast (and Palace’s involvement in the Conference League on Thursday). Once again, it feels like the match-going fans have been forgotten about. Hmmm. Rant over. This is such an intriguing game. Both sides could win it. If United are to come away with three points, they are going to have to drastically improve on Monday’s home defeat to 10-man Everton, perhaps the most toothless and disorganised defeat of the league season to end what had been a decent unbeaten run stretching back to September. Palace also lost this week, away at Strasbourg in Europe, but have been mostly excellent this season and are 12 points better off than this stage last season, a league high. They are unbeaten against United at Selhurst in over five years. Who would bet against Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta, two players linked with United in the last few months, turning on the style today for Palace? Kick-off: midday (GMT).