MAN UNITED 4, CRYSTAL PALACE 0
It was a measure of how bad Crystal Palace were that Manchester United never needed to hit top gear in registering a comprehensive victory.
And the match was a microcosm of the season of both clubs with United looking championship contenders and Palace a side desperately battling against relegation having lost their first seven league games.
From the third minute, when Juan Mata put United ahead, the result was never in doubt.
And further goals from Marouane Fellaini (2) and Romelu Lukaku merely reinforced the Reds’ dominant display.
And Lukaku scored his 11th goal in 10 appearances for the rampant Reds. He has also scored in six successive games and needs one more to equal Andy Cole’s club record.
United manager Jose Mourinho was pleased how his side has turned last season’s draws into wins
He said: “From the same four matches at home last season, last season we collected eight points, not 12.
“We have four more points from last year. We are playing well, though not for 90 minutes, There are periods when we lose consistency.”
Mourinho also praised Fellaini who has won over his critics since his move to Old Trafford.
He explained: “Sometimes we like players while other managers don’t. Some players don’t perform yet do so for other managers.
“He has all the qualities the team needs and has played defensive midfield, second striker and one of the central midfielders today
“He is a great character and we have a good relationship. Only a strong character would resist the difficulties he has had here.
“He has had some difficult times here and some didn’t recognise his qualities so he has had to be a strong character. He is a fighter with a lot of pride.
“I am pleased to coach him to this level and chance the perceptions that fans have of him.”
United, who have now 11 straight home league wins against Palace, made five changes from the side that won at CSKA Moscow in midweek in the Champions League.
There were recalls for Phil Jones, Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford, Antonio Valencia and Fellaini.
The players to lose out were Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Ander Herrera, Daley Blind and Anthony Martial.
Palace made four changes to the side beaten 5-0 at Manchester City last Saturday, though Christian Benteke’s absence was enforced through injury.
The changes didn’t improve Palace’s fortunes as they fell behind after 2min 25sec when Rashford’s trickery on the left was followed by a cut back for Mata to finish with a low, powerful drive from 12 yards, his first goal of the season.
Palace had an early chance to equalise but Bakary Sako headed over from Yohan Cabaye’s free kick.
The visiting fans, who had witnessed six straight defeats without a goal, showed their humour with a chant: “We’re Crystal Palace, we score when we want”.
Palace were not deflated after falling behind and a fierce angled drive by Sako was beaten out by David De Gea.
But their task became almost hopeless after conceding a second goal in the 35th minute.
Ashley Young’s searching cross from the left was volleyed home at the far post by Fellaini who stole behind the defence to score from two yards.
And it could have been 3-0 not long after when Chris Smalling headed agonisingly wide from Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s corner.
United didn’t have to wait long for a third goal that came in the 48th minute when Fellaini headed home Rashford’s free kick from three yards.
United made their first change midway through the second period when Mkhitaryan was replaced by Jesse Lingard and he was soon followed by Martial taking over from Rashford.
Romelu Lukaku ought to have added a fourth goal but he inexplicably shot wide after referee Mike Dean waved play on after Lingard was fouled.
And the last change saw Mata replaced by Herrara with 13 minutes left.
Hennessey prevented a fourth goal when he made an important block to deny Martial who had been put through by Herrer’s great through ball.
But it was merely delaying the inevitable as Lukaku made it 4-0 in the 86th minute when a sweeping move from right to left ended with Martial’s low cross slotted home by the big Belgium.
It was the 17th goal Palace have conceded in their seven league games with nine of them leaking in the last seven days in Manchester. They last won against United in 1989.
And the gallows humour of the Palace fans saw them taunting United for only scoring four whereas neighbours City hit five past them the previous week.