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Manchester United moved into the top three of the Premier League for the first time in nearly three years thanks to a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
The Red Devils started sluggishly at Old Trafford and fell behind to a fourth-minute Maxence Lacroix goal, the Palace defender shrugging off Leny Yoro at a corner before directing a fine header into the corner of the net.
United created a couple of openings, but the game was still going the visitors' way until another key incident involving Lacroix 10 minutes after the restart. The defender pulled back on the shoulder of Matheus Cunha as he tried to reach Bruno Fernandes' throughball, and after referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot, a VAR review recommended a red card for the Palace man for the denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Fernandes made no mistake from the spot, and it suddenly seemed inevitable that United would find a winner. There was little surprise about the scorer, either: Benjamin Sesko, rewarded with a start after five goals in five substitute appearances under Michael Carrick, expertly nodded in Fernandes' cross from the right.
Aston Villa's surprise loss at Wolves means United are now above the Villans on goal difference, and only 10 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal after 28 matches.
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Man United vs. Crystal Palace score
Fulltime Goal scorers
Man United 2 Fernandes (p) 57', Sesko 65'
Crystal Palace 1 Lacroix 4'Lacrois red card 56'
Location: Old Trafford (Manchester, UK)
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Keep track of every game and every goal via SN's live Premier League scoreboard.
Starting lineups:
Man United (4-2-3-1, right to left): 31. Lammens (GK) — 2. Dalot, 15. Yoro, 5. Maguire (26. Heaven), 23. Shaw (3. Mazraoui) — 18. Casemiro, 37. Mainoo — 19. Mbeumo (11. Zirkzee), 8. Fernandes, 10. Cunha — 30. Sesko (16. Amad)
Crystal Palace (3-4-3, right to left): 1. Henderson (GK) — 26. Richards, 5. Lacroix, 23. Canvot — 2. Munoz, 20. Wharton (19. Hughes), 18. Kamada (10. Pino), 3. Mitchell — 7. Sarr, 22. Strand Larsen (34. Riad), 11. Johnson (29. Guessand)
Man United vs. Crystal Palace match stats
Man United Stat Crystal Palace
20 Shots 8
11 Shots on target 3
2.12 Expected goals 0.38
61% Possession 39%
610 Passes 397
7 Corners 1
13 Fouls 12
2 Yellow cards 2
1 Offsides 2
Man United vs. Crystal Palace talking points, analysis
This section will be updated after the match.
Man United vs. Crystal Palace highlights, key incidents
Sesko strikes again
Benjamin Sesko buries his first really good chance of the half to put United ahead.
Watch in USA:
BRUNO FERNANDES PUT IT ON A DIME FOR SESKO. WHAT A GOAL. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/K2U6juPxDH
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 1, 2026
Watch in UK:
Benjamin Šeško heads Manchester United in front for the first time this afternoon! 💥 pic.twitter.com/8Jy168e71z
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 1, 2026
Watch in Canada:
Benjamin Sesko SCORES!!
⚽ 2-1 Manchester United vs Crystal Palace
WATCH EVERY GOAL 👉 https://t.co/2w98QqADfX#PL #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/RhqYID762q
— FuboCanada 🇨🇦 (@fuboTVCanada) March 1, 2026
No mistake from Fernandes
After Lacroix is sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, Bruno Fernandes dispatches the penalty to level the scores.
Watch in USA:
A HUGE refereeing decision ends with a penalty to Man United and red card for Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix. 👀 pic.twitter.com/k7064Skgu9
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 1, 2026
Watch in Canada:
Bruno Fernandes SCORES!!
⚽ 1-1 Manchester United vs Crystal Palace
WATCH EVERY GOAL 👉 https://t.co/2w98QqADfX#PL #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/gFz4G5MByQ
— FuboCanada 🇨🇦 (@fuboTVCanada) March 1, 2026
Watch in UK:
Bruno Fernandes converts from the spot, leaving Manchester United level & a player to the good! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/HoGmVPqPFP
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 1, 2026
Lacroix heads in to stun Old Trafford
Maxence Lacroix shrugs off Leny Yoro and arrows a header into the far corner.
Watch in USA:
CRYSTAL PALACE GRAB THE LEAD AT OLD TRAFFORD. Maxence Lacroix shakes his man and heads home from the corner! 🦅 pic.twitter.com/M8ZShBjgAR
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 1, 2026
Watch in Canada:
Maxence Lacroix SCORES!!
⚽ 0-1 Manchester United vs Crystal Palace
WATCH EVERY GOAL 👉 https://t.co/2w98QqADfX#PL #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/n97ZaYcPFP
— FuboCanada 🇨🇦 (@fuboTVCanada) March 1, 2026
Watch in UK:
Maxence Lacroix STUNS Old Trafford early doors! 😳 pic.twitter.com/TMnGXWhFc5
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 1, 2026
Man United vs. Crystal Palace reaction
Reaction from Michael Carrick and Oliver Glasner will follow after the match.
Man United vs. Crystal Palace team news
Man United team news
Lisandro Martinez missed the win at Everton and is still sidelined. Leny Yoro partners Harry Maguire in defence.
Mason Mount is close to a return, but this game will come too soon. Matthijs de Ligt remains out with a back injury.
Patrick Dorgu is still out with a hamstring problem.
Benjamin Sesko starts after scoring five goals in five substitute appearances under Carrick, including the winner at Everton.
Crystal Palace team news
Jefferson Lerma and Cheick Doucoure missed the Conference League win over Zrinjski this week and sit out the visit to Old Trafford.
Eddie Nketiah and Jean-Philippe Mateta are injured, so January signing Jorgen Strand Larsen will lead the line.
Man United, Crystal Palace upcoming schedules
Man United upcoming fixtures
Date Competition Match Location
Wed, Mar. 4 Premier League Newcastle vs. Man United St. James' Park
Sun, Mar 15 Premier League Man United vs. Aston Villa Old Trafford
Fri, Mar. 20 Premier League Bournemouth vs. Man United Vitality Stadium
Crystal Palace upcoming fixtures
Date Competition Match Location
Thur, Mar. 5 Premier League Tottenham vs. Crystal Palace Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Thur, Mar. 12 Conference League Round of 16 Crystal Palace vs. AEK Larnaca Selhurst Park
Sun, Mar 15 Premier League Crystal Palace vs. Leeds United Selhurst Park