Crystal Palace dominated but were unable to find a breakthrough as Manchester United secured a 0-0 draw in the Premier League clash at Selhurst Park.
The hosts came into the match on the back of the three-game losing streak but it was they who started the brighter, and they had a chance to open the scoring inside the first minute when Matteo Darmian's poor touch allowed Dwight Gayle to fire at David de Gea from the edge of the box.
Alan Pardew's side continued to take the game to the visitors in the opening period and they came within inches of finding an early breakthrough when Yannick Bolasie smashed a shot off the crossbar from a tight angle.
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Scott Dann forced De Gea to tip his header over the bar from Yohan Cabaye's corner as the Eagles knocked on the door yet again, but Louis van Gaal's side gradually settled into the match and had a clear chance to score after half an hour.
A fine pass from Anthony Martial played Wayne Rooney clear through on goal, but as the England captain tried to shift the ball onto his right foot Wayne Hennessey rushed off his line to smother the danger.
The hosts were not discouraged, however, and they threatened again when Cabaye dinked a ball over the top for Gayle, whose first-time shot was too weak to beat De Gea, before United's best move ended with Ander Herrera losing his footing as he shot after being picked out in the box by Martial.
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The second half started in scrappy fashion as both teams tussled for possession in midfield and the only half-chance came when Bolasie's surging run to the byline was not rewarded as his low ball across goal evaded all of his teammates.
A golden chance finally arrived with 18 minutes to play and it fell to the home side, but Cabaye's hooked volley dropped inches wide from Joel Ward's cross with Selhurst Park willing the ball into the net, before Damian Delaney headed wide moments later.
De Gea palmed Gayle's effort away and Bolasie somehow headed over Jason Puncheon's corner from close range as Palace threatened until the end but they ultimately had to settle for a single point.
Tom Nightingale
