Manchester United suffered more frustration as they were held to a goalless draw by a spirited Crystal Palace – the sixth time United have failed to win at Old Trafford this season.
Romelu Lukaku had an attempt ruled out for offside, while Wayne Hennessey produced smart saves to keep out Jesse Lingard and, in the closing stages, Lukaku.
But Palace, without a win in their previous seven league games and just above the relegation zone, created several chances to secure a first league win at the venue since 1989.
Patrick van Aanholt twice went close, Andros Townsend blazed wide while a header by Cheikhou Kouyate was also disallowed for offside.
United fans have had to endure some disappointing days this season, and this was another day at the office to forget for Jose Mourinho and his players.
Palace had lost on their past 11 league visits to Old Trafford and arrived at the venue flirting with relegation after seven top-flight matches without a win.
On the eve of the game, Mourinho had claimed United could break into the Premier League’s top four by the end of December.
They still might, but they will have to play an awful lot better than they did in this laboured performance, which left them 14 points behind leaders Manchester City.
Paul Pogba and Lukaku were recalled to the side, yet World Cup winner Pogba failed to finish the game and Lukaku is still searching for his first league goal since 15 September.
Lingard was United’s most threatening player for spells and his first-time shot from close range brought out the very best from Hennessey.
BBC reports that Anthony Martial rarely looked like making it six goals in six Premier League games as United dropped two more points ahead of a congested eight-match December programme, which includes games against Arsenal (home) and Liverpool (away).
