As Crystal Palace made its second visit to Old Trafford in as many days, Erik ten Hag and Manchester United were sent back to the drawing board.

On Tuesday, United’s offense was swift, effective, and dangerous; however, against Roy Hodgson’s defense today, United was the complete opposite, moving slowly and ineffectively.

But as is so frequently the case, the deflection was the deciding factor in the goal going in, and as Mason Mount found out on the other end, razor-thin margins are incredibly difficult to overcome.

United must stop losing points on the smallest of margins if their current losing streak is to end. It was a close game, but United should not have let it end that way.

It’s absurd for a club like United to create so little and then lament the few great opportunities they missed.

We should be able to consistently put up three or four goals per week, rather than just sneaking one in here and there.

Erik ten Hag will be eager to make this adjustment because he can’t afford to lose many more games before his supporters stop believing in him.