Manchester United: Crystal Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye reveals Red Devils easy to defend against

Crystal Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye has put the boot into Manchester United's tactics stating that the Red Devils are easy to play against as they do not offer as much of a threat as they used to under Sir Alex Ferguson. United came out of Selhurst Park with only a point, having managed just one shot on target in a drab 0-0 draw.

Palace had the better of the chances in the entirety of the game and Cabaye believes that their passing football will not work against teams who are capable of keeping a good defensive shape. The Frenchman's words have been vindicated by United's results in recent weeks. They have failed to score a single goal in their last three games in all competitions, which included an exit on penalties to Championship club Middlesbrough in the fourth round of the League Cup.

Cabaye, who played for Newcastle before moving to Paris Saint-Germain, revealed that the Red Devils could score goals for fun during that period, something they haven't yet managed to muster up this season. The draw sets the Red Devils down to fourth position, four points behind Manchester City and Arsenal on top.

"I remember I played against Manchester United for Newcastle they could score at every moment in a game. Here they did not have the big chances to score. Wayne Rooney had a free-kick in the first half and that was about it," Cabaye said, as quoted by the Daily Mail.

"Yes, they are a big club and yes, they can keep the ball – passes, passes, passes – but if you work hard against them and stay in a good shape they can't do anything to pass through you or be adventurous."

The revelation comes after manager Alan Pardew had explained that stopping Anthony Martial went a long way in stifling the Red Devils, who lack the creative spark to breach opposition defences. Martial started the game on the left but held a more central position as the game progressed, but was unable to trouble the scorers.