In a battle of 3-4-3s, there should be little surprise that the side with a £200million frontline and a full week of rest won. The fact there is genuine disappointment from home Crystal Palace fans that they did not get at least a point here says plenty about where these two sides have been at.
Oliver Glasner's men started the day ahead of Manchester United in the Premier League table but were overtaken during a deeply frustrating 90 minutes. For the second time in three days, they went ahead but fell to defeat, losing 2-1 to the Red Devils.
On Thursday it was against another back-three in RC Strasbourg. This time it was Ruben Amorim's United.
Strong second-half shows for Man United
Mason Mount celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Crystal PalaceAction Images via Reuters/John Sibley
The difference at Selhurst Park was ultimately marginal but showed in two smart Bruno Fernandes free-kicks in the space of nine second-half minutes. First, his dinked pass set up Joshua Zirkzee for a great finish from a tight angle.
Then, after complaints by Palace captain Marc Guehi over a foul decision on Diogo Dalot, Fernandes tapped the ball sideways for Mason Mount to fire in through the United wall.
In open play, United did very little. They managed to limit Palace, though, and played the game in their opponents' half.
Maybe this shouldn't be a shock. Palace were involved in a tight Conference League group phase game away in France and had to get themselves back in shape for Amorim's much fresher legs.
United played on Monday in the embarrassing loss to 10-man Everton at home. A reaction was needed and for 45 minutes, Amorim only saw a continuation of serious labouring.
Palace responded much better and quicker to their own midweek setback. The turnaround and comeback in the second half is as much about United's situation as Palace's.
Glasner does not have a squad made for competing like this, especially not after losing Ismaila Sarr to injury. Maybe, after six European games (two in qualifying) and another two in the Carabao Cup, the recovery time just proved too much.
United, on the other hand, have no European football of any sort. They were dumped out of the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle, and have been playing once a week since September.
Amorim can now build momentum
Manchester United manager Ruben AmorimREUTERS/Toby Melville
Although this has been the case throughout the past two months, United really can cash in on their extra rest days heading into the Christmas and New Year period.
Where as Palace and rivals will be battling fatigue and squad rotation, United should in theory be in a position to attack the upcoming matches.
They have had fitness issues to deal with but play Newcastle United and Aston Villa on December 21 and 26. Both of those have been in Europe with indifferent Premier League form.
United started Sunday below Villa in the table and level with Newcastle. These are their top four/five competitors and the lack of midweek games now needs to show.
Amorim will hope that this second-half reaction is just the start. Playing less football up to this point could well become a secret weapon as they move forward.
For Glasner, it represents the size of the challenge coming up.
Previously he has had a winter break in Germany and played without Europe last season at Palace. What is on the horizon is a new experience.
United punished his team here and it could prove to be a telling day as he let his frustration show on the sidelines and in the post-match press conference.