Even Mason Mount was taken off guard as he scored Manchester United's winner at Crystal Palace on Sunday
Mason Mount of Manchester United celebrates scoring their second goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park
Mason Mount was kept in the dark like everyone else before Bruno Fernandes set him up for the deciding goal at Crystal Palace
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Manchester United are back in victory lane after securing a hugely valuable 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on Sunday. However, even Selhurst Park decider Mason Mount wasn't expecting to convert the decider.
United skipper Bruno Fernandes made the surprise decision to tee up Mount for the winning striker rather than have a crack himself. And it was a call that even caught Mount off-guard as he recounted his moment of triumph in south London.
Elsewhere, United have been dealt a major blow after reportedly learning City are moving ahead in pursuit of their top target. Mirror Football breaks down the latest around Old Trafford ahead of United's visit from West Ham on Thursday.
Mount in dark before Palace winner
Fernandes' free-kick finesse is well-known among fans by this stage, but United's captain stepped aside for the crucial clincher at Palace on Sunday. Or rather, he stepped up to take control of the situation before watching on as Mount delivered when the team needed him most.
Making his first start in more than a month, Mount was as surprised as anyone else to see the ball had been laid off for him to hit on the edge of Dean Henderson's box. One could tell by his reaction that his skipper had caught him unaware, not that the quality of his strike gave that impression.
"We always have a little conversation," said Mount while recapping his pre-set-piece chat with Fernandes. "I said to him, 'I will roll it for you,' and then he said, 'You stay there,' and then I said, 'You shoot,' because obviously the sun was difficult today and was causing a few problems for us first half with long balls and I thought it would be difficult for Deano [Henderson] to see the ball in goal.
"And then he said: 'You stay there,' and rolled it over and you can see with my reaction to getting on the end of it... He obviously said it but really quick and that's why it helped out the situation. They didn't see it coming, they didn't see us talking, they were late to react, and it is about finding that little bit of space in the wall, that little disruption, and then hit the target."
He did precisely that, and the splintered Palace wall couldn't protect Henderson's near post as the decider bobbled home. The result was enough to move United up to seventh and just four points behind bitter rivals City in second place.
Utd's top target prefers City
Speaking of the Manchester rivalry, United and City appear to be on a collision course next year concerning the signature of Elliot Anderson. That's after it was reported City are ready to step up their interest in the Nottingham Forest star.
Elliot Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest looks on during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United at City Ground
Elliot Anderson looks primed for a move that will potentially go for nine figures next year
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Ruben Amorim's side have been linked with a steady string of midfield recruits over the last year. And after the buzz surrounding the likes of Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba has died down, Anderson has taken over as United's supposed No. 1 recruit.
However, the Daily Mail reported City are escalating their interest to ensure Anderson doesn't fall into the clutches of fellow admirers United or Liverpool. It's suggested Forest want in excess off £80million for the player, though a January move looks highly unlikely.
Newcastle begrudgingly sold Anderson to Forest last year in order to comply with Premier League spending laws. A little more than one year on, and it looks as though the 23-year-old could fetch up to three times that fee.
United could well part ways with Casemiro in the summer when his contract, which has a 12-month extension clause, is due to expire. There are also major question marks around the future of Kobbie Mainoo, whose sale could help United challenge City in the race for Anderson.
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