For four days Manchester United have been in a title race. Maybe they still are, but the two points they let slip through their fingers at Selhurst Park could prove to be costly.
Rather than being six points behind Arsenal going into the weekend, United are now eight points behind. Lose and the gap will be 11 with the Gunners having a game in hand. It would surely be the death knell for any hopes of an unlikely title.
In truth, it was always a long shot. The heady days since the derby win have been welcome for United fans who have become too accustomed to suffering, but this was a reminder that they are a work in progress under Erik ten Hag.
