Manchester United 3, Crystal Palace 0 (Carabao Cup)
Alejandro Garnacho, Casemiro, and Anthony Martial scored the goals that saw United start their Carabao Cup defence in style.
Andre Onana saved twice from Jean-Phillipe Mateta to keep a clean sheet as there were useful run outs for Sofyan Amrabat, Mason Mount, and Raphael Varane after injury layoffs.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 3, Crystal Palace 0 (Carabao Cup)
Andre Onana: 7. Little to do after United took control of the game. Had his first save to make after 67 minutes – Jean-Phillippe Mateta was twice denied by the Cameroon goalkeeper while substitute David Ozoh could have done better.
Diogo Dalot: 7. Dug in defensively but also provided the first goal with a cutback from the right flank and almost set up a second for Jonny Evans.
Harry Maguire: 7. Started in his favoured left side of central defence. Didn’t put a foot wrong. Cut out a cross by Jeffrey Schlupp. Had little to worry about despite the odd hairy moment. Was unhelpfully booed by the Old Trafford crowd towards the end.
Raphael Varane: 6. Return to action for the defender who got a good half of match fitness into his legs.
Sofyan Amrabat: 7. Handed a first start at left back but roamed into midfield looking to put out fires – looked very motivated and very fit and United’s players filled in for him when he went roaming.
Facundo Pellistri: 6. Not everything came off for the winger but he was involved in the first goal.
Casemiro: 8. Another goal for the midfielder – a header past Sam Johnstone – as he appeared to be emerging from his early season slump with some goals.
Mason Mount: 7. Played in a deeper midfield role but pressed well. Eased back with just a half of action. His corner helped Casemiro put United 2-0 up.
Alejandro Garnacho: 7. Poachers’ finish after getting on the end of a Diogo Dalot cutback. Had a late shot saved.
Hannibal Mejbri: 6. Trusted in an advanced role. Received coaching advice from the sidelines from his boss and high praise when taken off.
Anthony Martial: 7. Did a bit of pressing in the first half without much to show for it. Almost set up Victor Lindelof early in the second half before scoring after 55 minutes.
Victor Lindelof (on for Mason Mount, 46): 6. Switched to left back to allow Sofyan Amrabat into midfield. Had a pot shot late in the game saved by Sam Johnstone with the game safe.
Jonny Evans (on for Raphael Varane, 60): 6. Popular return and denied another goal after a great save by Sam Johnstone as he met a Diogo Dalot corner with a great header.
Dan Gore (on for Sofyan Amrabat, 60): 6. Took up an attacking midfield slot alongside Hannibal.
Donny van de Beek (on for Hannibal Mejbri, 71): 6. Went on the right flank.
Rasmus Hojlund (on for Anthony Martial, 75): 6. High pressing contrasted with Martial’s more languid style and kept United’s momentum going.
TEAM NEWS – Manchester United 3, Crystal Palace 1 (Carabao Cup)
Manchester United made 7 changes from the side that beat Burnley on Saturday. Only Andre Onana, Diogo Dalot, Casemiro, and Hannibal Mejbri remained in the side.
Dean Henderson, who left United in the summer, returned to Old Trafford after making his debut with his new club Crystal Palace. His debut latest
GOALS – Manchester United 3, Crystal Palace 1 (Carabao Cup)
Man Utd 1, Crystal Palace 0: 21. Alejandro Garnacho slotted the first United goal after a cutback by Diogo Dalot after he was released by Facundo Pellistri.
Man Utd 2, Crystal Palace 0: 27. Casemiro powered a header past sub keeper Sam Johnstone, meeting Mason Mount’s deep corner.
Man Utd 3, Crystal Palace 0: 55. Anthony Martial smashed home a third after catching Casemiro’s lofted pass into the box from deep.
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 3, Crystal Palace 0 (Carabao Cup)
Man Utd: Onana, Dalot, Maguire, Varane (Evans 60), Pellistri, S Amrabat (Gore 60), Casemiro, Garnacho, Hannibal Mejbri (van de Beek 71), Mount (Lindelof 46), Martial (Hojlund 75)
Man Utd Subs not used: Bayindir, Heaton, Fernandes, Rashford
Booked: Hannibal 29 (foul on Jordan Ayew)
Goals: Garnacho 21; Casemiro 27; Martial 55
Crystal Palace: Henderson (Johnstone 19), Clyne, Holding, Richards, Mitchell, Doucoure, Riedewald (Ozoh 80), Jordan Ayew, Schlupp, Rak-Sakyi (Guehi 46), Mateta
Crystal Palace Subs: Ward, Eze, Andersen, Hughes, Ebiowei, Ola-Adebomi
Booked: Holding (foul on Anthony Martial)
Referee: Michael Salisbury