Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal was proud of his player's performance in the 1-0 defeat against Manchester City.
The Red Devils showed character and heart after Chris Smalling was sent off in the first half but could not avoid defeat as they drop to ninth place in the table, 13 points from leaders Chelsea.
"I said to the boys that the willpower, the labour was unbelievable," van Gaal said after the game.
"When you can give that, you can be very proud but we have zero points and in sport it is always the goals that count.
"We were so close, despite playing with 10 men. We created more chances than in the first half. We were close but not close enough today and we have to improve.
"The first yellow card for Chris Smalling, I did not see but OK, the referee gives a yellow card.
"You know as a player you have a yellow and you cannot do what he did for the second yellow card. That is logical.
"I say a lot of things to the players and despite that they do not always follow what I said. There is also emotion and sometimes you cannot control your emotion but it was not very smart."
Defender Marcos Rojo suffered a serious shoulder injury that could keep him out for weeks but the manager says the player will be assessed on Monday morning.
"The shoulder is out, so you never know how long that takes," added van Gaal.
"I have to wait until tomorrow but he shall not play against Crystal Palace.
"We have injuries but we still have 11 players to play and they are very good players. I don't cry for that, but it is sometimes difficult to select the best team. I think I can manage that."