Erik ten Hag lamented Manchester United’s lack of a clinical streak after their goalless draw with Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday night.

The Red Devils hit the woodwork twice in quick succession in the first half through Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes but otherwise couldn’t find a way past Dean Henderson, while Andre Onana was also in fine form at Selhurst Park with some key saves.

United racked up a superior xG than Palace but no winner was forthcoming as they slipped into the bottom half of the table after five games.

Ten Hag admitted after the draw his side should have made their dominance count in the first half but was left pleased with the other parts of United’s display.

He said: “When we don’t win, I’m not content. We should have won. In the first half, we ate them alive. I would say the second half was more of a balance. But in the first half, we should have scored one or two goals.

“I think we played very good and had total control of the game. In and out of possession, I think we played very good. The only thing was in the box and in the box is always where the game is decided. We should be more clinical. There is always one chance [for the opposition] and they got the chance in the 44th minute – it was a big chance they got. One mistake leads to a big chance for them. At the time, we should have been 2-0 or 3-0 up.

“In Brighton, we should have drawn or even win the game there, so we lost three points. Today, we also probably lose two points because of the first half, but the thing is that we don’t lose this game in the end.”

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