Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson saves a shot from Manchester United midfielder Casemiro at Old Trafford in Manchester. Photo: DARREN STAPLES
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes scored a penalty before delivering a free kick that Benjamin Sesko nodded home for a 2-1 comeback win over 10-man Crystal Palace that moved the hosts into third in the Premier League standings.
Interim boss Michael Carrick's unbeaten run since his appointment in mid-January stretched to seven matches, his side now sitting on 51 points from 28 games. Palace slumped to 14th, stuck on 35.
United's form under Carrick since the January 5 sacking of Ruben Amorim has them third for the first time since May 2023.
The home side, however, looked like they were rubbing sleep from their eyes for most of the first half as Palace struck after four minutes, Maxence Lacroix muscling past Leny Yoro to power home a header from a corner. It was the earliest goal United have conceded all season.
United improved after the break and in the 57th minute, Fernandes hauled them level from the spot, sending goalkeeper Dean Henderson the wrong way, after Matheus Cunha was dragged down by Lacroix. The defender was shown a red card after a lengthy VAR check.
Eight minutes later Sesko completed the turnaround, leaping to head home Fernandes' free kick.
Oliver Glasner's Palace had dominated for the first 30 minutes, aided by United's poor passing and pedestrian pace. Daniel Munoz had an early chance to put the visitors 2-0 up when he ran onto a through ball from Ismaila Sarr, but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
United finally got a foothold and Sesko's header from a Fernandes cross late in the first half forced a save from Henderson in the home side's best chance up to that point. The keeper leapt to tip a Fernandes free kick over the bar shortly after.
Carrick's team raced out to a much better start in the second half and even after scoring twice they had numerous chances to add to their lead, including a volley from Casemiro that forced a diving save from Henderson.
Amad Diallo forced another diving save with a shot from distance in stoppage time, while fellow substitute Joshua Zirkzee had a couple of chances blocked and Kobbie Mainoo unleashed a rocket that sailed just wide of the post.
Palace pressed in the dying minutes, but United held firm to preserve the victory.
Struggling Tottenham Hotspur stretched their winless run to 10 games with a 2-1 defeat at cross-town London rivals Fulham that left them still in danger of the drop.
Four points clear of 18th-placed West Ham United, Tottenham left Craven Cottage ever more in a relegation scrap after another derby disappointment following last week's 4-1 home thrashing by leaders Arsenal.
**_\- Reuters_**