MAN UTD 2-1 CRYSTAL PALACE: In-form Benjamin Sesko scored the winning goal for the second game running, as Manchester United came from behind to beat Oliver Glasner's team at Old Trafford
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 1: Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace is shown a Red card and sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on March 1, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Maxence Lacroix's red card proved a turning point(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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Benjamin Sesko was the hero for Manchester United yet again, as Michael Carrick's side came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1. The result moves United up to third in the Premier League table, on course to quality for the Champions League.
Maxence Lacroix opened the scoring with just minutes on the clock, punishing some poor defending from United. The Red Devils offered little in the way of a response, with Casemiro spurning their best chance of a lethargic first half.
But Carrick's men were much improved in the second period. Lacroix gave them a leg up by going from hero to zero, getting himself sent off and giving United a penalty which Bruno Fernandes duly dispatched.
Less than 10 minutes later, Sesko rose highest to meet a Fernandes cross and continued his hot streak in front of goal. Palace pushed for an unlikely equaliser, but the Red Devils saw out the win and made it nine league games unbeaten.
Here are five talking points from Old Trafford.
1. No hangover for Palace
Given Palace had played a Europa League knockout game on Thursday, you'd have forgiven them for making a slow start. But the Eagles got off to a flier thanks to Lacroix's looping header in the fourth minute.
Brennan Johnson hoisted in a corner and the Palace centre-back managed to evade his marker, Leny Yoro. Lacroix made good contact and with no one on United's front post, the ball nestled in and Senne Lammens' chances of back-to-back clean sheets.
Crystal Palace's French defender #05 Maxence Lacroix scores his team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on March 1, 2026. (Photo by Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications.
Maxence Lacroix opened the scoring on four minutes(Image: Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images)
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2. Shaw's injury woes return
Few players in the Premier League have suffered as much as Luke Shaw when it comes to injuries. This season, however, Shaw has started all 28 of United's top-flight games, his longest streak since joining the Red Devils in 2014.
Unfortunately, that run likely to come to an end when United travel to Newcastle on Wednesday. The 30-year-old came off worse in a challenge with Daniel Munoz and went down when the ball next went out of play.
Shaw immediately looked to be coming off, and rather than receive treatment, he sat down and talked to a member of United's medical staff while Noussair Mazraoui prepared to come on. The blow comes at a frustrating time for Shaw, who'd been tipped for an England call-up later this month.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Luke Shaw of Manchester United is consoled by team mate Bryan Mbeumo as he receives medical treatment before being substituted during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on March 01, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Luke Shaw came off injured in the first half(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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3. Lacroix goes from hero to zero
United came out for the second half looking much sharper and soon enough their intent was rewarded. Matheus Cunha got a run on Lacroix and the Frenchman grabbed hold of the United forward's shoulder as they raced into the penalty area.
Cunha went bundling over and Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot. The referee initially didn't show Lacroix a card but was soon sent over to the VAR monitor to decide his fate.
After a few replays showing that Lacroix had denied Cunha a clear goalscoring opportunity, Kavanagh announced to the stadium that the Palace offender would be going for an early bath. Fernandes stepped up to take the penalty and sent Dean Henderson the wrong way, levelling the scores.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 1: Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace fouls Matheus Cunha of Manchester United to give away a penalty during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on March 1, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images)
Maxence Lacroix was adjudged to have fouled Matheus Cunha(Image: Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images)
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4. Sesko strikes again
Handed a start by Carrick for the first time, Sesko didn't let his boss down after a frustrating hour with little to feed off. Some sustained United pressure allowed Fernandes to whip in a sumptuous cross towards the Slovenia international, who took flight and planted his header past the helpless Henderson.
It's now four goals in five games for Sesko, putting his slow start to life at Old Trafford behind him. The Red Devils had completed the comeback and given 10-man Palace a mountain to climb.
Manchester United's Slovenian striker #30 Benjamin Sesko (L) scores his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on March 1, 2026. (Photo by Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications.
Benjamin Sesko is in red-hot form(Image: Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images)
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5. Carrick's home comforts
It's now four wins from four home games as United manager for Carrick. Since taking the wheel, the Red Devils have beaten Manchester City, Fulham, Tottenham and now Palace at Old Trafford.
It was far from a vintage display, with United's first-half performance echoing their sluggish start against Everton. Like at Hill Dickinson Stadium, though, they improved after the break and took advantage of Aston Villa slipping up against relegation-threatened Wolves to go third.