Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United: Ruben Amorim proves superior to Oliver Glasner in battle of 3-4-3
Manchester United came from behind in the second half to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park and end a run of four games without a win against the Eagles.
United looked vulnerable and were second best for much of the first half. Palace’s pressure told in the 36th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta converted from the spot. The Frenchman had had to retake the penalty after taking a double touch in his earlier attempt.
It felt like another long afternoon for United, who came into the game still feeling the sting of Monday’s home defeat to 10-man Everton.
United came back out of the tunnel with more intent and were level nine minutes into the second half. A quick free-kick from Bruno Fernandes caught Palace off guard, allowing Joshua Zirkzee to turn inside the box and drive a low finish past Dean Henderson from an acute angle.
Before Palace could reset, United hammered them again. Another set-piece routine saw Fernandes play short to Mason Mount, who then curled his shot beyond the non-existent Palace wall and Henderson to complete the turnaround after 63 minutes.
Palace had had chances to be out of sight earlier in the match. Mateta caused repeated problems; United target Adam Wharton drove the tempo in midfield; and twice United relied on last-ditch defending to stay in the contest. Luke Shaw, making his 300th appearance for the club, produced two crucial blocks before half-time to keep United in the game.
Ruben Amorim had made only two changes from the side that started last week against Everton, switching Amad Diallo back to the right wing-back position and dropping Patrick Dorgu for Diogo Dalot.
United started brightly but there was a notable lack of inspiration up front without the influence of Matheus Cunha or Benjamin Sesko. Before his goal, Zirkzee was poor. Bryan Mbeumo struggled to impact the game without his other colleagues in United’s established front three.
Zirkzee and Mount’s goals had broken Palace’s spirits and they were lethargic for much of the second half. They roused themselves late on but Justin Devenny’s promising stoppage time freekick whamming into the United wall summarised the futility.
