London, January 19 (BNA): Manchester United’s hopes of finishing second in the Premier League were dashed after Michael Ulis’ stunning last-minute equalizer earned Crystal Palace a 1-1 home draw.
United set out to claim a 10th successive win in all competitions for the first time since 2009 thanks to a Bruno Fernandes goal shortly before half-time.
But they were rattled in the 91st minute when a superb left-footed free kick from Olise found the top corner, Reuters reports.
The week has been dominated by talk of British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe’s bid for ownership of England’s most decorated club as it seeks to restore its former glory.
But whatever was going on off the pitch, United were in great shape after beating Manchester City at the weekend.
Full of confidence they made their debut for loan striker Wout Weghorst, but it was a more familiar face who gave them the lead on the frigid Selhurst Park.
Even the first half was almost over when Fernandes was tipped in by Christian Eriksen and fired an unstoppable shot into the net.
United dominated most of the second half but could not hold on as Ulisi gave Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea no chance with a moment of magic.
Had Erik ten Hag’s side claimed victory, they would have stunned leaders Arsenal on Sunday knowing that victory would put them within three points of their London counterpart.
They remain in third place with 39 points, as is Man City who has a better goal difference. Arsenal have 47 points after playing one less game. Manchester City faces fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday.
To add to United’s frustration, they will go to Arsenal without their influential midfielder Casemiro after he was shown a late yellow card for a reckless foul, which resulted in a suspension.
“We are not happy with the draw,” Fernandez said. “We should have taken our chances and closed the game.” “They scored a great goal at the end. We can’t do anything now.
“We have to look forward now. Other games are coming. We are still doing good things. We are really disappointed with the result but the next game is close.”
The signing of Dutch giants striker Weghorst from Burnley on loan came as a surprise to many but he nearly earned his starting place with a header just over the bar as United looked on the more dangerous side.
Palace were unable to make much of an impression in the first half although they did come close when De Gea headed home Odson Edouard’s curling shot against the crossbar.
Shortly afterwards, he stopped the Palace defence, allowing Eriksen to run behind a Marcus Rashford pass and the Dane’s defense was perfect for Fernandes who made no mistake.
United dominated after the break and looked set to become the first United side to win 10 matches in a row since the spirited days of former manager Alex Ferguson.
But they called on some pressure late on and Palace in mid-table took the opportunity to avoid a third successive defeat.
“The last 15 minutes we put pressure on them,” Palace coach Patrick Vieira said. “Michael scored that free kick.”
“It was hard, we worked hard and it was rewarded.”