The Frenchman played from the left wing as the Red Devils once again failed to score at Selhurst Park, their third consecutive 0-0 result this season.
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In total, United have won only one of their eight matches against Russian teams and with the two sides level on four points in Group B, two points below leaders Wolfsburg and just a point above fourth-place PSV Eindhoven, it is a statistic they will be eager to improve on. “It was a big target for us to stop him and we felt that if we could do that we can stop their creative angle”, said Pardew.
Bolasie said: “If we play like we did today [against Manchester United], we’ll trouble a lot of teams, and I’m looking forward to next week”.
Martial has been something of a revelation since making his big-money switch to Old Trafford in the summer, yet the 19-year-old was hounded with every touch of the ball at Palace and simply ran out of ideas.
“They did good pressing at the start to complicate our moves, and they created some chances especially in the first few minutes”.
“But if you work hard against them and stay in a good shape they can’t do anything to pass through you or be adventurous”. I think he handled himself very well because he would have felt our presence around him.
And Dann was the first to admit that with the number of chances they had, Palace should have come away with all three points.
“We have to work for them [strikers], particularly in the midfield”, he said.
“But that means they don’t create as many chances or threaten you as much as they did in the past”.
The longer a game goes on without getting a chance the more Rooney withdraws into the centre of the pitch, thus nullifying any effect he might have up front.
Van Gaal does not have too many options to fall back on should Rooney and Martial fail to deliver, with the likes of Memphis Depay and Ashley Young not in great form. “He is someone we will have to keep an eye on”. Jason Puncheon returns for Palace after missing out at City through illness but Yohan Cabaye needs a late fitness check.
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Manchester United (4-2-3-1): DE GEA 8; Darmian 5 (Young 66, 6), Smalling 7, Blind 6, Rojo 6; Schneiderlin 6, Schweinsteiger 5 (Fellaini 69, 6); Mata 6 (Lingard 79), Herrera 6, Martial 6; Rooney 5.
