Oliver Glasner singled out Matheus Cunha’s role in Manchester United’s** penalty decision and Benjamin Sesko’s impact in the winner against Crystal Palace ahead of Bruno Fernandes’ role on both occasions.**
Manchester United received a penalty against Crystal Palace in the second half after Maxence Lacroix had put the Eagles into the lead in the first half of their match.
Bruno Fernandes played an excellent ball through to Matheus Cunha before Maxence Lacroix brought the Red Devils summer signing down in the Palace box on Sunday.
Lacroix was sent off after a VAR intervention and Fernandes stepped up for the subsequent penalty and sent Dean Henderson the wrong way from the spot-kick.
READ MORE: Ian Wright and Dion Dublin react to Benjamin Sesko and Bruno Fernandes link-up for Man Utd winner vs Crystal Palace
Michael Carrick speaks with Matheus Cunha and Bruno after the team’s victory in the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
WHO was your Man of the Match as United beat Palace 2-1?🤔
Some great performances today!
Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes (L) congratulates Manchester United's Slovenian striker #30 Benjamin Sesko
Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images
Oliver Glasner’s reaction to Matheus Cunha’s impact in Man Utd winning a penalty against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford
Matheus Cunha played out on the left wing and the 26-year-old Brazilian forward saw out the full 90 minutes of Manchester United’s 2-1 win against Crystal Palace.
Oliver Glasner insisted that Cunha was “very smart” with how he waited until he was inside the Palace box to be brought down by Maxence Lacroix in the key challenge.
More United News
“It still feels that more was possible today,” he said after the match, as per Crystal Palace’s official website.
“We had a great first 30 minutes. I think at the end, in the first half, we became a little bit too passive.
“We had a few set-pieces on the other side and we had the lead at Old Trafford. There would always be periods where they made pressure.
“Then, the red card changed the game completely. I think it’s a very harsh decision – a penalty and a red card – because the foul started outside the box and usually the foul is to be given when it starts.
“On the other side, Matheus Cunha was very smart to wait until he was inside the box, and then the referee decided.”
READ MORE: Bruno Fernandes showed why he holds more ‘responsibility’ than any other Man Utd player, says Michael Carrick
Our top rated Man Utd players vs Palace – What would YOU change?
Match ratings graphic
Getty Images
Oliver Glasner on the major impact of Man Utd striker Benjamin Sesko against Crystal Palace
Following United’s 57th-minute equaliser at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, Bruno Fernandes picked up an assist in the 65th minute for the Red Devils’ eventual winner.
Fernandes played a superb cross into the Palace box from the right and Benjamin Sesko outmuscled Jaydee Canvot before turning a header into the back of the net.
“Then, one player less, having a game three days before in the Conference League and the crowd is back and they are on a good run […] the second goal just happened too quickly,” Glasner added.
“At the end, we could have defended it better because we were in a better position when the cross starts. But then Sesko goes into the ball and we are waiting for the ball.
“The players tried everything until the end. I think we were four or five times in very good positions, but the final pass wasn’t accurate enough for the finish.
“But the performance was absolutely okay for many parts of the game.”
United’s Premier League win over 10-man Palace has moved Michael Carrick’s in-form side to third place in the table ahead of Wednesday’s match with Newcastle.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox