Man Utd 2-1 Crystal Palace (Fernandes 57′ pen, Sesko 65′ | Lacroix 4′, red card 56′)
OLD TRAFFORD — This might not have been a flawless Manchester United performance to return to third in the Premier League for the first time since May 2023, but Michael Carrick’s side found a way to win despite a timid first-half performance against Crystal Palace.
Since Carrick took over from Ruben Amorim in January, United have struggled in the games they are expected to win comfortably, while beating three of the top-flight’s big six.
Yet this week United showed they have the character and desire to dig deep, with narrow wins against Everton and Palace.
Palace took the lead inside four minutes when Maxence Lacroix fended off Leny Yoro to meet Brennan Johnson’s looping corner and dispatch his free header across goal.
Maxence Lacroix STUNS Old Trafford early doors!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 1, 2026pic.twitter.com/TMnGXWhFc5
Surprisingly, the visitors enjoyed a good chunk of possession in the first half and looked comfortable with the ball away from home, despite their preference to play in transition.
They had started brighter and looked capable of going toe-to-toe with United.
The test for Palace was always whether they could keep up with United for 90 minutes after their Conference League win over Zrinjski Mostar on Thursday.
United did grow into the first half – a late flurry saw Casemiro, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko squander promising chances inside the Palace penalty area.
Carrick’s side continued their improvement after the break, albeit with assistance from referee Chris Kavanagh, who, after initially awarding a penalty against Palace centre-back Lacroix for holding Matheus Cunha as he entered the area, showed him a red card after a four-minute check and a review at the monitor.
Kavanagh said over the PA: “After review, Crystal Palace No 5 [Lacroix] commits a clear holding offence which denies a clear, obvious, goal-scoring opportunity.
“The final decision is a penalty and a red card.”
"Maybe it's the Old Trafford bonus?"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 1, 2026
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner felt the red card for defender Maxence Lacroix was 'very harsh' as the Eagles lost 2-1 to Manchester United. pic.twitter.com/lby93TD2EE
This was in the game-spoiling category from the official, making his domestic return after being dropped last weekend following a disastrous performance during Newcastle United’s FA Cup fourth round win against Aston Villa.
The holding began outside the box, although Cunha did not throw himself to the ground until the penalty area was in reach, tiptoeing into the area to ensure he would win a penalty.
It was clever gamesmanship from the Brazilian, who went down lightly to get his side back into the game.
Lacroix’s decision to put his hand on Cunha’s shoulder when he was travelling towards goal was foolish. However, it did not warrant both a red card and a penalty.
It was borderline whether the holding continued into the area, and Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson was coming off his line to scoop the ball.
The punishment was too severe for the nature of the foul, especially when Cunha had made a meal of it.
That said, United took advantage of their opportunity well. Bruno Fernandes, who was the hosts’ best player again, sent Henderson the wrong way to level proceedings before the hour mark.
Fernandes helped United ramp up the pressure after the red card, running the show in midfield with his deep crosses into the box, keeping their play ticking over.
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His right-footed cross from deep earned United the winner in the 65th minute, allowing Sesko to break between Daniel Munoz and Jaydee Canvot and bullet his header past Henderson.
United may not have been pitch perfect, but they are finding a way to win even when they are not at their best.
They are up to third, five points clear of Chelsea in sixth – Champions League football could soon be returning to Old Trafford.
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