By Martyn Herman
Manchester United’s hopes of moving second in the Premier League were scuppered as Michael Olise’s stunning last-gasp equaliser earned Crystal Palace a 1-1 home draw on Wednesday. (Thursday AEDT).
United were poised for a 10th successive victory in all competitions for the first time since 2009 thanks to Bruno Fernandes’s goal shortly before half-time.
Joel Ward of Crystal Palace challenges United’s goalscorer Bruno Fernandes.Credit:Getty
But they were rocked in the 91st minute when Olise’s superb left-footed free kick found the top corner of Spanish keeper David De Gea’s goal.
An even first half was almost up at a chilly Selhurst Park when Fernandes was picked out by Christian Eriksen’s pass and he fired an unstoppable shot into the net.
United controlled most of the second period but could not hang on as Olise sent a curling free kick past David de Gea.
United moved into third place with 39 points, the same as Manchester City who have a better goal difference. Arsenal, who United face on Sunday, have 47 having played a game less.
United’s Casemiro (top) will miss the weekend blockbuster against Arsenal.Credit:PA
To add to United’s frustration they will go to Arsenal without influential midfielder Casemiro after he received a late yellow card to trigger a suspension.
“We’re not happy with a draw. We should have taken our chances and closed the game,” Fernandes said. “They scored a great goal at the end. Nothing we can do now.
“We have to look forward now. Other games are coming. We’re still doing good things. We’re really disappointed with the result but the next one is close.”
City face fifth-placed Tottenham on Thursday (Friday 7am AEDT).
The result came amid renewed speculation about United’s future, with fans of England’s most successful club excited about a future free from the much derided Glazer family, who they have protested against since the Americans bought the club in 2005.
London’s Daily Telegraph on Thursday reported that American investment firm Sixth Street, which has been involved in major refinancing projects with Real Madrid and Barcelona, could be ready to invest in the Red Devils.
That news came a day after Jim Ratcliffe, the CEO of chemical company INEOS, joined the race to buy the club.
British billionaire Ratcliffe, a long-standing fan of the 20-time English champions, declared his interest in August but said two months later he was told by the Glazers the Premier League side was not for sale when he contacted the family.
On Tuesday, his company formally entered the bidding process.
Elsewhere, a rampant Leeds stormed into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 5-2 win over Cardiff City.Credit:AP
Ratcliffe failed last year in an attempt to buy London club Chelsea, ultimately bought by an investment group led by American Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
Ratcliffe’s name was widely mentioned among United fans as someone many would welcome, although there are fears he might be priced out with some estimates putting the club’s worth at more than $4.5 billion (A$6.5b).
Meanwhile, they may be struggling in the Premier League but Leeds are eyeing a deep FA Cup run following a rampant 5-2 win over second-tier Cardiff City.
Leeds led after just one minute through Wilfried Gnonto, whose second 10 minutes from the break closely followed Rodrigo Moreno’s 34th-minute effort. A late double to Patrick Bamford inside five minutes made it 5-0 before Callum Robinson scored twice in the dying stages for Cardiff.
The Yorkshiremen will fancy their fourth-round chances against either League One side Accrington Stanley or non-league Boreham Wood, who square off in a replay on Friday morning (AEDT).
Watch every match of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League on Stan Sport. Returns for the Round of 16, with all the action streaming ad-free, live and on demand from February 15.
