MAN UTD 3, CRYSTAL PALACE 0
Holders Manchester United breezed through to the last 16 of the Carabao Cup with an emphatic victory against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.
The Reds began their defence in the third round with a one-sided victory as Roy Hodgson’s Palace were overwhelmed – there were ironic chants from their fans when they had their first goal attempt three quarters of the way through the game.
Goals from Alejandro Garnacho, Casemiro and Anthony Martial sealed the victory which could have been even more emphatic.
But equally important for the Reds, who have been leaking goals, it was back-to-back clean sheets after Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League success at Burnley.
It was a satisfying night for United manager Erik ten Hag who had Mason Mount, Raphael Varane, Garnacho and new-boy Sofyan Amrabat all getting important minutes on their returns from injury.
Ten Hag said: “It was a good night, definitely. We dominated the game, had good attacks, good possession, had chances and scored good goals.
“Keeping clean sheets always gives a keeper confidence, especially when he makes great saves, a header at Burnley on Saturday and two here.”
Ten Hag admitted United are not in a position they want to be after a disappointing start to the campaign.
But this was the start of a run of six home games in the next seven matches and a chance to build some momentum.
He said: “The mood is always good but, when you are not winning at United, there is disappointment and frustration.
“We know we are not in the position we want to be. We have to catch up and will be working game to game and working on the process.”
Palace had a decent record at Old Trafford with three wins and a draw in their six precious visits as well as a League Cup win at Old Trafford almost 12 years ago.
Embed from Getty ImagesThere were no complaints from Hodgson who admitted: “We were well beaten. They attacked better and defended our few attacks comfortably. And when you look at that, there is only one possible result.
“This was not a weak team by any stretch of imagination but they won the game more than deservedly.”
Ten Hag named seven changes after his side ended a three-match losing run with a 1-0 win over Burnley on Saturday.
Amrabat made his first start for the club since joining on loan from Fiorentina while fellow summer signing Mount returns to the starting line-up.
There was also a start for Harry Maguire in central defence, alongside Varane.
Hodgson made eight changes for the trip to Old Trafford with goalkeeper Dean Henderson starting against his former club as he made a debut for the South London side following his £20million summer move.
Henderson’s bow was short-lived as he limped off inside 20 minutes appearing to have pulled a muscle kicking a clearance and immediately pulling up as he was replaced by Sam Johnstone, another former United player.
The deadlock was broken in the 21st minute when United took the lead with a well-constructed move.
A fine cross-field pass from Mount found Facundo Pellistri on the right and he released Diogo Dalot who raced to the by-line before cutting the ball back to Garnacho to fire home from seven yards, his first of the campaign.
The goal sparked United to life as they quickly had further chances as Dalot had a shot beaten out by Johnstone while Pellistri, clean through, was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Chris Richards.
United made it two in six minutes when Casemiro rose to head home Mount’s corner from 12 yards, his fourth goal of the season.
Ten Hag made a change at the break as Mount, returning from injury, was only give half a game as he was replaced by Victor Lindelof.
The Swede slotted in at left back enabling Amrabat to move forward into his usual midfield role.
There was further joy as Martial made it 3-0 within 10 minutes of the restart with a sumptuous strike for his opening goal of the season.
Casemiro, pulling the strings in the middle, picked out Martial who found the net from the tightest of angles with the sweetest of half volleys.
That heralded a double change by the Reds as Raphael Varane and Amrabat were replaced by Jonny Evans and Dan Gore, an 18-year-old who was making his first-team debut.
Palace had to wait until the 67th minute for their first goal attempt and then two came about in next to no time, the second seeing Jean-Philippe Mateta’s effort well kept out by the legs of keeper Andre Onana.
United’s fourth change with 20 minutes left saw Donny van de Beek make a rare appearance as he came on for Hannibal.
Evans came close to scoring a fourth goal when his header from Dalot’s corner was brilliantly kept out by Johnstone.
The Reds’ final substitution in the 75th minute saw Martial make way for Dane Rasmus Hojlund.
Mateta was denied for a second time by an excellent stop by Onana with substitute David Ozoh dragging the rebound wide.
United kept up the pressure to the end and in the closing stages Johnstone made decent stops to fist away piledrivers from Lindelof and Garnacho.