Erik ten Hag responded to Manchester United's biggest criticism by unleashing new tactical plan

Manchester United huffed and puffed but couldn't blow Crystal Palace's house down.

Erik ten Hag promised the game would be 'different' from the 4-0 hammering against Palace at the beginning of May and the first 45 minutes were chalk and cheese, with United creating plenty of chances, controlling the contest but somehow not finding a way beyond Dean Henderson.

That difference was underpinned by the manager's tactical approach. United were noticeably playing a higher defensive line from the first whistle and Lisandro Martinez was spotted ushering his teammates forward, urging them to take a more prominent position than usual.

Ten Hag's tactics have been deeply scrutinised in the last 12 months, but his instructions to play a higher line against Palace initially worked a treat and provided more control in midfield.

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United looked better organised, they were compact, difficult to play through and were able to win the second ball when Palace were dispossessed in the centre of the pitch.

Christian Eriksen started and that selection had the potential to backfire but he vindicated it. United had 70 per cent possession by the 25-minute marker and Palace struggled to get to grips with the white shirts, who would swarm those in blue and red stripes when they had the ball.

There was an impressive control in United's play in the first half that had yet to be seen in the Premier League this season and that was down to the higher defensive line.

Diogo Dalot, Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui looked like a well-drilled unit and they are developing an understanding after starting three successive league games together.

The advantages of having a settled back four are obvious - United rarely had that luxury last season - and those four players understood when to push up and when to press.

It hasn't always been clear, particularly last season, what Ten Hag had instructed his players to do, but the higher line was obvious and it will help United control games more often.

The Grand Canyon space that was regularly seen in midfield last season needed to be addressed in the new campaign and while Liverpool was a setback, progress has been made.

The only criticism of the first 45 minutes was that United hadn't taken their chances and that almost looked costly when Andre Onana, who could have otherwise been watching the game from the stands, was forced into making a world-class double save in the second half.

Onana was signed last summer to have a transformational effect on the team's build-up play and his importance will grow even more if United continue to play a higher defensive line.

As the game progressed, United's line began to step back and that coincided with Palace growing into the game and creating meaningful chances. That was no coincidence and it emphasises why United controlled the first half - they played higher up the pitch and limited space.

Maintaining that approach throughout 90 minutes away from home is bound to be difficult and while United were disappointed to leave with a point, a brighter future can be seen.

Providing United can consistently play with a higher defensive line, regardless of the opponent, they will control more fixtures and have a better chance of winning games.

They are heading in the right direction, which is a relief after a poor start.