He was asked if he enjoyed the first half.
"No, not really," he bluntly replied. Francis showed admirable restraint with his succinct analysis. The away followers in the Arthur Wait Stand will not have been as forgiving when the Reds players approached them.
They were crammed into two-and-a-half blocks and were United's best performer, singing defiantly from kick-off until full-time. Gone are the days when Reds fans used to descend on Selhurst Park and outnumber its denizens for processions and celebrations.
This marked a Premier League-era record 13th defeat of the season. United have now lost 18 games overall, their most since Dave Sexton's first term in charge in 1977-78.
Sexton fell on his sword despite seven successive victories. Erik ten Hag will do well to record another win over the coming weeks. The Dutchman eschewed the travelling supporters when the least they deserved was acknowledgement from the manager on another humiliating night.
The United manager vented at his players, at the fourth official and the referee. With every outburst, Ten Hag came closer to conceding. He looked beaten up. Oliver Glasner, responsible for the beating, was energetic and proactive in the nearby technical area.
'You're f*****g s**t, hollered the Palace supporters. They started the 'Olés' in the 75th minute at 4-0 and there was the obligatory rendition of 'You're getting sacked in the morning!
United cannot qualify for the Champions League and there has always been a managerial change during, or at the end, of a season in that event. The Reds will not qualify for Europe at this rate. They are eighth and in danger of finishing outside the top seven for the first time since 1990.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ten Hag future remains in doubt as state-of-play meet comes to end
INEOS GATHERING IN LONDON CONCLUDES WITHOUT ANY STATEMENT
'The tribunal found that it was wrong. This is a big deal in competition law'
THE Premier League came unstuck against City in their opening submission of the hearing into Associated Party Transaction Rules.
Godfather of AI wins Nobel Prize for Physics
A BRITISH-CANADIAN computer scientist who has been dubbed the \"godfather of artificial intelligence\" has won this year's Nobel Prize for Physics.
Chancellor urged to quash ‘damaging' pension rumours
FTSE 250 savings and investment platform AJ Bell has joined the growing chorus urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to back down from a proposed tax hit on UK pensioners, warning that rumours of the government's tax intentions are \"hugely damaging\" and are causing widespread concern long-term savings.
Red paint attack on office block
A PRO-PALESTINE group says it targeted an office block in Manchester city centre housing insurance firm Allianz.
Star 'in pain every day' in his fight with arthritis
ADAM Thomas has told fans how he's 'in pain every day' as he gave a candid update from his latest trip to the hospital.
I was in tears when the police returned my XL Bully
OWNER SAYS DOG WAS LEFT IN 'BAD STATE' AFTER BEING SEIZED
Student cop was 'bullied' claims dad
INQUEST TOLD TRAINEE HAD NIGHTMARES ABOUT BOSS 'TRYING TO STRANGLE HIM'
From Pretty Green to pretty vacant
PRETTY Green, the fashion brand founded by Liam Gallagher, has announced its flagship Manchester store has closed with immediate effect.
Dozens of 'late-stage' terror plots foiled since Arena bomb
THE security services have foiled 43 'late-stage' terror plots since March 2017 as new threats emerge from hostile nations such as Russia and China and a 'resurgent' Islamic State.