Manchester United 2, Crystal Palace 1
Ten man Manchester United notched up a 13th consecutive win at Old Trafford in all competitions after goals by Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.
The Reds had only beaten opponents Crystal Palace once in the last five games but they were in total control for much of this match until a fracas midway through the second half.
Already 2-0 up, the Reds had to hang on for a tense finish after Casemiro was sent off for violent conduct – spotted by VAR with his hands around Will Hughes’ neck – and Jeffrey Schlupp pulled one back to ensure a tense – and atmospheric – end at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring from the penalty spot, sending Vicente Guaita the wrong way as he stroked the ball into the bottom left corner after a VAR check confirmed that Will Hughes had handled Marcus Rashford’s driven ball into the area.
Wout Weghorst and Raphael Varane could have doubled the score soon afterwards but for some stout Palace defending.
Embed from Getty ImagesAlthough United were fully in charge in the first half David De Gea saved from Jeffrey Schlupp close to half time – a warning that they could not rest on their laurels.
United scored a second through Marcus Rashford after Luke Shaw picked him out in the area following a run by substitute Alejandro Garnacho.
It soon went sideways after a red card for United though.
Antony was unceremoniously swept off the pitch by Tyrick Mitchell and a full brawl ensued from which a VAR check determined that Casemiro had been seen throttling Hughes and the Brazilian was sent off after Andre Marriner again consulted the pitch side monitor.
United were down to ten men and Palace acted swiftly.
Edouard blazed over, Hughes was taken off for Eberechi Eze while Jordan Ayew was replaced by Albert Lokonga.
Marc Guehi headed straight at De Gea from Michael Olise’s corner and from the next corner Palace pulled one back when Olise’s corner was cleared as far as Cheick Doucoure by Lisandro Martinez but Schlupp was there to flick on his ball past De Gea to halve the deficit.
Marcel Sabitzer made his debut for the Reds and Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof were brought on as United tried to close down any chance for Palace to get an equaliser.
And there were tense scenes as Old Trafford rose to fill the gap left by Casemiro’s absence to roar their side to victory against the feisty Eagles who had chances to level the game but could not find the right final pass.
TEAM NEWS – Manchester United 2, Crystal Palace 1
Manchester United were back at full strength following their win over Nottingham Forest in mid-week.
Manager Erik Ten Hag made just two changes from that side, with David De Gea and Marcus Rashford coming in for Tom Heaton and Alejandro Garnacho.
Heaton and Garnacho were joined on the bench by Diogo Dalot, who was back in training after an injury layoff, and midfielder Marcel Sabitzer following his loan move from Bayern Munich.
Anthony Martial was reportedly carrying an injury and was not involved in the match day squad for United.
Ex-United player Wilfried Zaha was not available for Crystal Palace due to injury.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 2, Crystal Palace 1
David De Gea: 7. Dealt with an easy free kick by Michael Olise and a trickier shot by Jeffrey Schlupp.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 6. Big challenge up against Michael Olise, still got forward but decision making could be better.
Raphael Varane: 6. Had a great chance to double United lead but his shot was blocked, defensively sound as usual.
Lisandro Martinez: 6. Big tackle to stop Jeffrey Schlupp making a break but failed to fully clear the ball that allowed Crystal Palace to get back into the game.
Luke Shaw: 6. Attacked the ball and created chaos that led to the penalty.
Casemiro: 5. Took a painful challenge by Tyrick Mitchell in his stride and exacted some revenge when he was spotted with his hands round the throat of Will Hughes later by VAR – and he was sent off.
Bruno Fernandes: 8. Opened the scoring with a trademark penalty. Got stuck in wholeheartedly.
Fred: 6. Busy in midfield, even better going forward, drove a shot wide of the near post and almost set up Wout Weghorst.
Antony: 7. Good tracking back as well as attacking. Had a tame shot saved by Vicente Guaita.
Marcus Rashford: 7. Won a penalty with a fierce drive into the area and also stung the hands of Vicente Guaita. Not afraid to shoot.
Wout Weghorst: 6. Cushioned header saved by Vicente Guaita. Set up Fred for a great chance. Rested after an hour.
Alejandro Garnacho (on for Wout Weghorst 59): 6. Stationed on the left wing. Started the move that ended in United’s second goal, sacrificed as United tried to hold on for the win with 10 men.
Marcel Sabitzer (on for Antony, 81): Debut. No time to mark.
Victor Lindelof (on for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 87): No time to mark
Harry Maguire (on for Alejandro Garnacho, 87): No time to mark
GOALS – Manchester United 2, Crystal Palace 1
Man Utd 1, Crystal Palace 0: 7. Bruno Fernandes stroked home a penalty, sending Vicente Guaita the wrong way, after a VAR check confirmed that Marcus Rashford’s ball into the area was handed by Will Hughes.
Man Utd 2, Crystal Palace 0: 62. Marcus Rashford had an easy tap in from 8 yards out after Luke Shaw sent the ball into him following an Alejandro Garnacho run along the edge of the box.
Man Utd 2, Crystal Palace 1: 76. Jeffrey Schlupp flicked Cheick Oumar Doucoure’s ball back into the box past David De Gea after Lisandro Martinez could only half clear
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 2, Crystal Palace 1
Man Utd: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka (Lindelof 87), Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Fernandes, Fred, Antony, Rashford, Weghorst (Garnacho 59, Maguire 87)
Man Utd Subs not used: Heaton, Malacia, Dalot, Sancho, Mainoo
Booked: Antony 68 (squaring up to Jeffrey Schlupp)
Red Card: Casemiro 70 (violent conduct, VAR saw him with hands around Will Hughes’ neck)
Goals: Fernandes 7 pen; Rashford 62
Crystal Palace: Guaita, Clyne, Richards, Guehi, Mitchell, Doucoure (Ahamada 82), Hughes (Lokonga 72), Jordan Ayew (Eze 72), Olise, Schlupp (Mateta 82), Edouard
Crystal Palace Subs not used: Johnstone, Whitworth, Milivojevic, Tomkins, Riedewald
Bookings: Mitchell 45+1 (foul on Antony), Schlupp 68 (squaring up to Antony)
Goal: Schlupp 76
Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 73,420