Manchester United has not lost four games in a row since 1961, a record still intact after a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.
Juan Mata’s early penalty was cancelled out by Jason Puncheon’s deflected free kick, setting the stage for Marouane Fellaini to settle the contest with 12 minutes to play.
Fellaini’s transformation is now complete
The Belgian has experienced many of the lows associated with being at one of the world’s biggest clubs, without the glee surrounding campaigns including open bus parades, opposition sides forming guards of honour, and all that fun stuff.
In an interview last week, Fellaini spoke of his troublesome times at Old Trafford: “During my first season at Manchester, the team was not performing and I was the scapegoat,” the Belgian said. “Everything was Fellaini’s fault. If you pay attention to all this [criticism], you sink. It destroyed me on every side.”
78' – GOAL! Crystal Palace 1 United 2. Fellaini heads home! #mufclive
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 9, 2015
In his 50th appearance for the club, his transformation from clunky, slow, and inept midfielder to brutish match winner is evident for all to see. Albeit, with a helping hand, or lack thereof from Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni, Fellaini pounced to all but guarantee his team fourth position.
United’s Depay swoop is already vindicated, and he is still a PSV player
United, currently, are a very slow team. Speed of thought? Yes, relatively, but not in the absence of Michael Carrick. Leg speed? Absolutely not.
#mufc has reached an agreement with PSV Eindhoven & Memphis Depay for the player's transfer, subject to a medical. pic.twitter.com/RdrJglzQGv
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 7, 2015
Come June the 1st, Memphis Depay’s medical should prove as routine as can be, and suddenly, stocks in pace and trickery are given a major boost. United’s array of excellent, if not a little slow, attackers have been blanketed by an inability to manoeuvre through a wall of excellently drilled set of four defenders, and five or so midfielders.
Mile Jedinak needs to regain his early season form
A showing of ill-discipline by elbowing West Ham striker Diafra Sakho earned the Australian a four-match ban, and subsequently, his form has suffered after the unwelcome disruption of being forced to watch on from the sidelines.
Against United, Jedinak completed a mere 59% of his attempted passes, no successful tackles, but, on a positive managed to win eight headed duels – all against Fellaini.
Led out by Mile Jedinak “@CPFC: VINE: the teams are out! #COYP https://t.co/k0jov3pJZo”
— OS Aussies (FCAU) (@OSAussies) May 9, 2015
Rumours circulating around Selhurst Park regarding the Australian’s future would have been quickly quashed earlier this calendar year, yet such was the team’s form after Jedinak’s suspension, coach Alan Pardew may look to transform Palace’s midfield into something more dynamic next season. It is now up to the Socceroo to showcase his qualities, and overall worth to a Premier League club looking to climb up the table in the years to come.
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