by Tashan Deniran-Alleyne at Selhurst Park

LOUIS VAN GAAL admits there is cause for concern following yet another toothless display from his Manchester United side during their goalless draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.

The stalemate in south London means United have not scored in three successive games for the first time in a decade and the Dutchman was disappointed with the lack of chances crated against the Eagles: “There’s a big concern but I already said that after the match against Middlesbrough,” he said.

“We didn’t create so many chances so it’s more difficult. When you don’t keep the ball you can’t create chances,” Van Gaal stressed.

United’s only effort on target was a tame free-kick from skipper Wayne Rooney, while Ander Herrera spurned their best chance towards the end of the first half as he miscued his shot from close range.

Palace were the better team, with Yannick Bolasie forcing David De Gea into a superb save early on, while both Yohan Cabaye and Scott Dann came close to breaking the deadlock after the interval.

Despite a positive performance and a well-deserved point, manager Alan Pardew acknowledged the fact that his strikers are without a Premier League goal this season and is hopeful of a speedy resolution: “It is something that worries me as the manager of course, because you want your number nine to be flying.”

“That is the negative to come out of the season, but we have Connor [Wickham] knocking on the door now and [Marouane] Chamakh to come back,” Pardew added.