MAN UTD 2, CRYSTAL PALACE 1
Manchester United beat bogey team Crystal Palace to climb to third place in the Premier League as Michael Carrick’s fabulous start as interim head coach continued.
It was far from a routine victory, though, as it took Maxence Lacroix’s sending early in the second half proved pivotal and the turning point in the match.
The Reds were behind to an early goal from French centre back Lacroix until he was sent off for hauling back Matheus Cunha.
Bruno Fernandes converted the resulting spot kick with Benjamin Sesko heading the winner to complete the turnabout.
But Palace, who had won on their last two visits and four times at Old Trafford since 2020, put up a spirited showing.
It was a significant win for United who, in Carrick’s seven matches in charge, have won six times and drawn the other match.
Reds’ skipper Fernandes said: “It feels like a big result, we were behind and had to show some character. We were a little bit slow with the ball, but it was a good three points and that is the aim.
“There are a lot of games to go still, and it is important that we don’t feel that we are in the position that we need to be. We need to make as many points as we can.”
On the VAR decision which led to Lacroix being sent off, Fernandes said: “The referee told me straight away that it was a penalty, but he was trying to determine if it was a red card.
“We know that when it is a push or pull and no intention to go for the ball, it is a red card.”
Carrick was delighted with the character his side showed in battling from behind.
He said: “I’m delighted with the win and the way we responded to a slow start. Credit to Palace, they started the game really sharply and bright.
“We showed that belief and personality and we finished the first half well. To overcome going a goal down so early, that was a new challenge for us.
“The personality and belief in coming back in the second half was the biggest thing to take from the game.”
And on climbing to third, Carrick added: “It doesn’t mean an awful lot at the moment. It is nice and we want to keep progressing. We came back from the goal so early and responded.”
Carrick was elated with the form shown by summer signing Sesko.
He said: “I am delighted for Ben. It has not been a headache and big trauma.
“He is making big improvements and getting used to being here and he is desperate to do well. He works hard and has always remained positive.
“He is a pleasure to work with, and he scored a fantastic goal.
“He is a good player – that is why he is here. He scores different types of goals and is a huge threat and has huge potential.
Embed from Getty Images“We have good flexibility in the front roles, and nice to have those options
Palace manager Oliver Glasner said: “The red card changed the game completely. It was very harsh as the foul started outside the box and Cunha was very smart to wait until he was in the box before falling.
“The foul was outside the box and the foul should be given where it starts, not where it ends.
“I spoke to the fourth official and he said they had to check whether it was offside, then when the foul started and if it was a red card.
“There were three or four situations to check. It seemed the wrong decision, but we have to accept it.
“It is decisive when you are 1-0 up and then concede a penalty and then have one player less.”
Glasner, reflecting on his side’s display, said: “The performance was absolutely okay for many parts of the game.
“We were in four or five good positions but failed with the final pass. We’re not that efficient and that ruthless in attack. The way the team is fighting, even here under difficult circumstances, gives me faith until the end of the season.”
Carrick handed a starting spot to Sesko following the Slovenian’s match winner at Everton on Monday.
Amad Diallo dropped to the bench in the only change to Carrick’s entire squad as United looked for a victory that would take them into third spot for the first time since the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
Glasner made one change to the side that started Thursday’s Europa League victory against Zrinjski.
Brennan Johnson replaced Evann Guessand even though the Ivory Coast international has scored in his last two games.
Yeremy Pino returned to the bench as Palace look for their third successive victory at Old Trafford.
United were dealt an early blow when Palace snatched a fifth minute lead with a looping Lacroix header from Johnson’s corner.
It was the second goal of the campaign for the French centre back who eluded marker Yoro who failed to cut out the danger.
And it might have got worse for United when Ismaila Sarr had a fiercely struck shot beaten out by keeper Senne Lammens.
United had a further setback to overcome mid-half as Luke Shaw limped off with a foot injury to be replaced by Noussair Mazraoui.
The Reds were struggling to get a foothold back in the game, though Harry Maguire head a header cleared off the line by Sarr from Bryan Mbeumo’s corner.
Sesko then had a header saved by Dean Henderson following a left-wing cross from Bruno Fernandes.
Henderson then made a brilliant fingertip save to turn over a 30-yard free kick from Fernandes who delivered another set-piece which saw Casemiro glance a header narrowly wide.
United were handed a 51st minute way back into the match when they won a penalty after Lacroix hauled back Cunha.
It took a VAR check lasting almost six minutes before referee Chris Kavanagh, after consulting the pitchside monitor, awarded a spot kick and sent off Lacroix. The pull began outside the penalty area but continued inside.
Fernandes sent Henderson the wrong way from the spot for his seventh goal of the season.
United scented victory as Fernandes cut in from the left and bent a shot just past the upright.
And eight minutes after equalising, United completed their comeback when Sesko headed home Fernandes’ cross from 12 yards, his ninth goal of the season for the Reds.
There was almost a third goal when Casemiro’s volley from Mbeumo’s cross was brilliantly kept out by Henderson.
United made their second change with 15 minutes left as Sesko was replaced by Amad.
Amad and Casemiro both forced Henderson into saves as United looked for a third goal to kill off Palace.
Carrick made two further changes with five minutes left as Maguire and Mbeumo made way for Ayden Heaven and Joshua Zirkzee.
In the third of eight added minutes, Amad’s 25-yard drive brought a super save from Henderson to turn the ball around the post for a corner.