FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-CRYSTAL PALACE
Bruno Fernandes was instrumental in the Man Utd comeback (Image: Getty)
Michael Carrick's argument to become the permanent Manchester United boss strengthened even more, as the 20-time English champions came from behind to beat 10-man Crystal Palace. It's a result that moves United up to third in the Premier League table, with Carrick and co. eyeing up qualifcation for next season's Champions League.
Still riding the high of Carrick's interim appointment, Old Trafford was at fever pitch ahead of kick-off, but the iconic stadium was quickly silenced when Maxence Lacroix headed home the opener after just four minutes. Lazy defending from a corner allowed the Frenchman to ghost in and give Palace an unlikely lead. The hosts didn't respond to the early setback and were sent into half-time with their tails between their legs.
However, Lacroix would go from hero to villian in the second half, when the 25-year-old saw red for a last-man challenge on Matheus Cunha. Not only was he handed his marching orders, but Bruno Fernandes stepped up to convert the resulting penalty to restore parity. Palalce, now a man down, failed to keep United out for long, with Benjamin Sesko continuing his rich vein of scoring form with a tidy header from 12 yards out after yet another Fernandes assist.
Express Sport hands out player ratings from United's latest win under Carrick...
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Senne Lammens - 6
Lauded for his efforts during United's win over Everton, and while the praise was somewhat over the top, the Belgian has certainly brought a sense of calm to their defence. Wasn't tested nearly enough after the Palace opener, though.
Diogo Dalot - 4
The only surprise after the first half was that the right-back came out for the second period. A cataclysmic showing throughout the opening 45 minutes wouldn't have done much to silence his doubters. Surely this is a position United look to strengthen in the summer?
Leny Yoro - 6
Having conceded after just four minutes, the United defence would've probably expected a much tougher afternoon than the one they got. Instead, the young Frenchman and his centre-back partner enjoyed a relatively comfortable outing, without much intervention needed at the back.
Harry Maguire - 6
Much like Yoro, the English international also went through the motions a little bit throughout the game. Subbed late on in the contest, but another solid showing from the defender, who will be dreaming of a return to the England squad for this summer's World Cup.
Luke Shaw - 5
Having played every Premier League game this season, it looked like the Englishman had put his injury woes behind him. Instead, the left-back was forced to hobble off after just 24 minutes on the pitch.
Casemiro - 6
Replacing the ever-reliable midfielder will be one of the biggest tasks INEOS have had since taking the reins at Old Trafford. While it might've been a slight overpay when he arrived in 2022, the Brazil veteran has aged like fine wine and still looks like he could do a job going forward.
Manchester United v Crystal Palace - Premier League
Bruno Fernandes netted the equaliser for Man Utd (Image: Getty)
Kobbie Mainoo - 7
Has become a mainstay in the midfield and certainly helped fix part of the problem United had under Ruben Amorim. He's another who will be hoping it isn't too late to leave an impression on Thomas Tuchel.
Bryan Mbeumo - 6
Has been a revelation since arriving from Brentford in the summer and will rightly be in the conversation for signing of the season. Didn't have the most productive of matches against Palace though, and was subbed with five minutes to play.
Bruno Fernandes - 9
How many times has he been the man to drag United out of the quagmire? It was his pass that led to the penalty, with the Portuguese magician stepping up to take it. With the score at 1-1, it was again the 31-year-old who picked out the pass for Sesko to turn home what proved the winner.
Matheus Cunha - 6
Will be eyeing up a nomination for next year's BAFTAs with his efforts to win the penalty that led to the equaliser. Knew exactly what he was doing by waiting until he'd just crept into the penalty area to go down, and the referee fell for it. Wasn't the attacker's sharpest game on the ball, but he remained an outlet for United throughout the contest.
Benjamin Sesko - 8
Had the extra pressure of leading the line for United from the off against Palace, and the Slovenian rewarded his manager's show of confidence with yet another headed goal. It took the ex-RB Leipzig man some time to settle, but he's certainly looking worthy of the £74million United paid for him in the summer.
Substitutes:
Noussair Mazraoui - 6
Came off the bench earlier than expected but didn't put a foot wrong. Will be hoping to wrestle his way back into the starting Xi.
Added a spark off the bench and tested Dean Henderson with a stinging shot late on.
Joshua Zirkzee - N/A
Ayden Heaven - N/A