As the second half commenced, a banner emerged in the Stretford End proclaiming: “MUFC proudly colonised by immigrants.” This seemed to counter Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s claim that the nation has been inundated by foreigners (for which the co-owner offered a half-hearted apology). Manchester United required their own response to a lackluster first half that left them behind due to Maxence Lacroix’s early goal.
After eleven minutes into the second half, they discovered one.
Initially, Lacroix was sent off by Chris Kavanagh following a review of the monitor for pulling down Matheus Cunha. The contact initiated just outside the 18-yard box but extended into the penalty area, prompting the referee to issue a red card and award a penalty. Fernandes successfully converted the spot-kick, placing the ball to the left of Crystal Palace’s goalkeeper, Dean Henderson, who misjudged the direction.
This set the captain against his previous United colleague. “I collaborated with him,” Fernandes mentioned. “He even told me afterward that he intended to dive to the same side as he did last week [when he saved Tolu Arokodare’s penalty for Wolves] and stop it. Fortunately, he chose the opposite direction.”
Oliver Glasner had an amusing way of expressing his discontent about the penalty decision, claiming it was a result of the “Old Trafford bounce,” arguing (albeit incorrectly) that the incident occurred outside the penalty area.
The manager of the Palace stated: “It’s crucial when you’re ahead 1-0 and then give away a penalty while also being down a player. The foul occurred outside the box and should be judged from where it originated. Matheus Cunha displayed great intelligence. We did everything possible to find the equalizer and had several promising opportunities four or five times.”
Manchester United supporters displayed a banner stating ‘MUFC Proudly Colonised by Immigrants’ as a jab at co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Photo credit: Martin Rickett/PA
When Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko made their next move, United took the lead. A feeble clearance from Palace fell at Fernandes’ feet, who delivered a cross from the right flank. Sesko, displaying greater determination than Jaydee Canvot, outjumped the defender Canvot to connect with a header that soared past Henderson’s left side, marking the Slovene’s ninth goal for United and his seventh in the last eight matches.
United moved like a crimson tide. The lackluster first half was a puzzle that would stump even Miss Marple, and when Sesko made way for Amad Diallo in the 72nd minute, he was greeted with cheers, as Michael Carrick’s squad glided towards the final whistle.
They currently sit in third place, thanks to a goal difference, having earned 19 out of a possible 21 points under Carrick. Following a disappointing 15th-place finish last season, the outlook is now optimistic, and the interim manager deserves significant recognition for this turnaround. Regarding United’s standing, he remarked: “At this point, it doesn’t hold much significance. Our aim is to continue advancing.”
It took Palace just four minutes to penetrate their opponents’ defense. Brennan Johnson delivered a corner from the left, and Leny Yoro lost track of Lacroix, who headed the ball into a crowded area, finding the net past Senne Lammens at the goalkeeper’s right post.
This marked the earliest point at which United conceded under Carrick – or this season – presenting a fresh challenge for his team. The situation could have intensified when Daniel Muñoz surged down the right flank and set up Ismaïla Sarr, but his powerful shot was deflected by Lammens.
This served as a signal of Glasner’s strategy to exploit United’s flanks, where Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were required to support their full-backs, Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot. The Brazilian and the Cameroonian maintained their typical wide roles (left and right) due to a reshuffled attack prompted by Sesko’s impressive performances earning him a spot in the starting lineup – replacing Diallo – at the No 9 position. Regarding this, Carrick remarked: “It wasn’t a particularly difficult choice. Benjamin is in great form and has made a significant impact lately.”
Palace had secured victories in their last two matches following Glasner’s assertion that he was “not adequate” for the position. It’s possible that reverse psychology played a role, as at this point, the Austrian’s squad outperformed their rivals.
After 23 minutes, Shaw had to leave the field due to illness, followed later by Harry Maguire, leading to Noussair Mazraoui stepping in for the left-back. This further unsettled a team that was already a blend of misplaced passes, slow tackles, and lack of creativity, struggling to break through the Eagles, while Henderson comfortably managed the goal.
Maxence Lacroix asserts his innocence after taking down Matheus Cunha, yet he received a red card and a penalty was given, which Bruno Fernandes successfully converted. Photo credit: Gary Oakley/EPA
However, when Mbeumo delivered a corner, Maguire’s header appeared destined for the net until it struck Sarr. Shortly after, Sesko was denied by a Palace defender while attempting a shot: a glimmer of hope for United.
Subsequent actions included Mazraoui’s shot being unintentionally deflected by Cunha, Sesko directing a Fernandes cross into Henderson’s grasp, and a ball from Fernandes prompting Sesko to make a quick run to the near post. The home captain started to take control of the match. Henderson managed to tip over his curling free-kick, and his next delivery found Casemiro’s head, but the Brazilian was unable to convert.
United’s resurgence in the second half was remarkable. It culminated in a delightful swivel-and-shot from Diallo that forced Henderson to dive to his right to deflect it away, further highlighting the dominance exhibited by Carrick’s squad.
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