As the second half commenced, a banner emerged in the Stretford End stating: “MUFC proudly colonised by immigrants.” This seemed to counter Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s claim that these lands have been inundated by foreigners (for which the co-owner offered a lukewarm apology). Manchester United required their own response to a lackluster first half that left them behind due to Maxence Lacroix’s early goal.
After eleven minutes into the second half, they discovered one.
Initially, Lacroix was sent off by Chris Kavanagh following a review of the monitor for pulling down Matheus Cunha. The contact initiated just outside the 18-yard box but extended into the penalty area, prompting the referee to award a penalty by issuing a red card. Fernandes successfully converted the penalty, placing the ball to the left of Crystal Palace’s goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who misjudged the direction.
This set the captain in opposition to his previous United colleague. “I collaborated with him,” Fernandes remarked. “He even mentioned at the conclusion that he wished to dive to the same side as he did last week [when he saved Tolu Arokodare’s penalty for Wolves] and stop it. Fortunately, he chose the opposite direction.”
Oliver Glasner had an amusing way of expressing his discontent about the penalty being given, claiming it was a result of the “Old Trafford bounce,” arguing (albeit incorrectly) that the incident occurred outside the penalty area.
The manager of the Palace remarked: “It’s crucial when you’re ahead 1-0 and then give away a penalty while also being down a player. The foul occurred outside the box and should be assessed from where it originated. Matheus Cunha displayed great intelligence. We made every effort to secure the equalizer and found ourselves in promising positions four or five times.”
Manchester United supporters displayed a banner stating ‘MUFC Proudly Colonised by Immigrants’ as a jab at co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Photo credit: Martin Rickett/PA
After Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko made their move, United took the lead. A feeble clearance from Palace fell right at Fernandes’s feet, allowing him to deliver a cross from the right flank. Sesko, displaying greater determination than Jaydee Canvot, outjumped the defender Canvot to connect with a header that soared past Henderson’s left side, marking his ninth goal for United and his seventh in the last eight matches.
United moved like a crimson tide. The lackluster first half was a puzzle that could stump even Miss Marple, and when Sesko made way for Amad Diallo in the 72nd minute, he was met with applause as Michael Carrick’s squad glided toward the final whistle.
They currently sit in third place, thanks to a goal difference, having earned 19 out of a possible 21 points since Carrick took over. Following a disappointing 15th-place finish last season, the team’s trajectory is looking promising, and the interim manager deserves significant recognition for this turnaround. Regarding United’s current standing, he remarked: “At this point, it doesn’t hold much significance. Our aim is to continue advancing.”
It took Palace just four minutes to penetrate their opponents’ defense. Brennan Johnson delivered a corner from the left, and Leny Yoro lost track of Lacroix, who headed the ball into a crowded area, finding the net past Senne Lammens at the goalkeeper’s right post.
This marked the earliest point in the season that United have conceded under Carrick, presenting a fresh challenge for his team. The situation could have intensified when Daniel Muñoz surged down the right flank and set up Ismaïla Sarr, but his powerful shot was deflected by Lammens.
This served as a signal of Glasner’s strategy to exploit United’s flanks, where Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were required to support their full-backs, Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot. The Brazilian and the Cameroonian maintained their typical wide roles (left and right) due to a reshuffled attack prompted by Sesko’s impressive performances earning him a spot in the starting lineup – replacing Diallo – at the No 9 position. Regarding this, Carrick remarked: “It wasn’t a particularly tough choice. Benjamin is performing well and has made a significant impact lately.”
Palace had triumphed in their last two matches following Glasner’s statement that he was “not suitable” for the position. It’s possible that reverse psychology played a role, as at this point, the Austrian’s squad outperformed their rivals.
After 23 minutes, Shaw had to leave the field due to feeling unwell – and Harry Maguire followed suit later – leading to Noussair Mazraoui stepping in for the left-back. This further unsettled a team that was already a jumble of misplaced passes, lethargic tackles, and a lack of creativity, struggling to break through the Eagles, while Henderson comfortably managed the goal.
Maxence Lacroix asserts his innocence after taking down Matheus Cunha, resulting in his dismissal and a penalty that Bruno Fernandes successfully converted. Photo credit: Gary Oakley/EPA
However, when Mbeumo delivered a corner, Maguire’s header was destined for the net until it struck Sarr, and shortly after, Sesko was denied by a Palace defender while attempting to shoot: a sign of hope for United.
Subsequent plays included Mazraoui’s shot being accidentally deflected by Cunha, Sesko directing a Fernandes cross into Henderson’s grasp, and a ball from Fernandes prompting Sesko to make a quick run to the near post. The home captain started to dominate the game. Henderson managed to tip over his curling free-kick, and his next delivery found Casemiro’s head, but the Brazilian failed to convert.
United’s resurgence in the second half was remarkable. It culminated in a delightful swivel-and-shot from Diallo that forced Henderson to dive to his right to deflect it away, further highlighting the dominance exhibited by Carrick’s squad.