Five things Ten Hag must fix at Man Utd after watching on in amazement as they lose to Crystal Palace

ERIK TEN HAG watched on in amazement – taking in a Manchester United side so hapless that they can’t even put on a show for their new manager.

The incoming Red Devils boss was at Selhurst Park with assistants Mitchell van der Gaag and Steve McClaren to watch the finale of a desperate campaign and begin picking up the pieces.

Ralf Rangnick, taking charge of his final game, named a side to give Ten Hag a look at what he has to work with.

The German confirmed that this would be Edinson Cavani’s final game in a United shirt.

But the other 10 alongside him are all currently expected to be at Old Trafford next season.

Though this afternoon may just have changed that – Ten Hag has a lot to do.

THE DEFENCE

Where to start at the back after this 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace?

It is often said that no side can be a success without a solid backline and United have a very, very long way to go in that department.

Ten Hag will have been left wincing at some of the displays from those across the back four.

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Harry Maguire has carried the can all season long but those around him must take their fair share of the blame.

Crystal Palace are a far better team on the ball under Patrick Vieira – but even Roy Hodgon’s side would have had some fun here.

The Eagles were hardly piling the pressure on but United were offering up chances every time the hosts pushed forward – with former Red Wilfried Zaha having particular fun running down the wings.

How ironic then that Zaha – Sir Alex Ferguson’s final signing as United boss – was the one to open the scoring.

The Ivory Coast wizard slipped past Diogo Dalot with ease and fired into the bottom left corner.

“He’s just too good for you,” sang the Palace fans.

He certainly was – but that isn’t saying much anymore.

ATTACKING THREAT

The performance from Zaha was in stark contrast to his counterparts.

Rangnick started Anthony Elanga and debutant Hannibal Mejbri out wide with his options limited thanks to Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford being unavailable.

Even with a fully fit squad Rangnick would have struggled to find a winger who – on current form – can make things happen like Zaha.

They still had Bruno Fernandes looking to pull the strings behind Cavani.

The Portuguese is a shadow of the player who arrived from Sporting Lisbon to take the Premier League by storm in January 2020.

Fernandes couldn’t get anything going here and reviving his fortunes should be high on Ten Hag’s to do list.

The midfielder can be unstoppable at times but has more often than not looked to be a hindrance this season.

SOFT MIDFIELD

Manchester United’s midfield duo of Scott McTominay and Fred – McFred – have had their moments this season, but it is time they were broken up if there is ever going to be some progress at Old Trafford.

Fred’s passing was wayward and wasteful, while red and blue shirts passed by McTominay like he wasn’t there at times.

The energy and drive of Conor Gallagher – in his final game for Crystal Palace before returning to Chelsea next season – was simply unmatched by Manchester United.

There was no sign of any pressing or desire from the two Red Devils and Fred was quickly reduced to waving his arms around and going to war with Martin Atkinson, the referee.

Rangnick has warned that this club needs open heart surgery – and the heart of the side is where the biggest problems lie.

SHODDY ATTITUDE

Instead of rallying together to end their season on a high – United spent most of the second half bickering and shaking their heads.

It never felt like they were getting back into this.

They didn’t even seem to care enough to call one another out on what was a desperately flat display.

The United dressing room has long been toxic, something the Dutchman must flush out immediately when he gets his hands on this squad.

CONNECTION WITH THE FANS

The travelling cohort were singing until the end in the sun at Selhurst Park.

They could well have been forgiven for packing up and turning their back on this sorry season at half-time.

But they stayed – they always do.

Ten Hag must galvanise a fanbase like few others.