Olise led the charge for Palace, scoring two goals, with additional strikes from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell. This win continued Palace's resurgence under their manager, Oliver Glasner, who has managed to build momentum in recent matches.
Olise's outstanding performance at Selhurst Park, where he scored in the 12th and 66th minutes, underscored the gap between the two sides. This victory was Palace's fourth in their last five Premier League matches, highlighting the positive direction in which the team is heading.
For Manchester United, the loss compounded a difficult season, with injuries and inconsistent performances affecting their chances of securing European qualification. The Red Devils have only managed two wins in their last ten Premier League games, raising concerns about their league standing.
Despite the return of some key players, including Jonny Evans, United seemed off-balance from the start. Olise's early goal, in which he skillfully avoided challenges from Christian Eriksen and Casemiro, set the tone for the rest of the match, as United's defense struggled to contain Palace's attacking pressure.
Many Manchester United fans are calling for a change at the top as Erik ten Hag struggles in his second season. This 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace not only highlighted United's defensive frailties but also put their European qualification hopes in jeopardy. The last time United missed European competition was in 2014, when David Moyes was sacked after a disappointing run.
United's defensive woes were evident in the loss to Palace. Ten Hag was forced to play Casemiro at center-back alongside 36-year-old Jonny Evans, revealing a makeshift backline that couldn't contain Michael Olise's threat. Referee Jarred Gillett’s controversial decision not to award Palace a penalty added to United's frustrations, but Olise's sublime performance with two goals was the real story.
Ten Hag has often cited injuries as a cause of the team's struggles, but that hasn't alleviated growing discontent among fans. With a critical match against title-chasing Arsenal coming up, the pressure on the Dutchman is only increasing.