As the second half commenced, a banner emerged in the Stretford End proclaiming: “MUFC proudly colonised by immigrants.” If this was a response to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s claim that these shores have been inundated by foreigners (for which the co-owner offered a lukewarm apology), Manchester United required their own answer to a lackluster first half that left them behind due to Maxence Lacroix’s early goal.
After eleven minutes from the restart, they discovered one.
Initially, Lacroix received a red card from 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 kick along with the red card. Fernandes successfully converted the penalty, sending the ball past Dean Henderson to his left, who misjudged the direction.
This set the captain against his previous United colleague. “I collaborated with him,” Fernandes remarked. “He even mentioned to me afterward that he intended to dive to the same side as he did last week [when he blocked Tolu Arokodare’s penalty for Wolves] and make the save. Fortunately, he chose the opposite direction.”
Oliver Glasner expressed his discontent about the penalty decision in an endearing manner, claiming it was a result of the “Old Trafford bounce,” arguing (though 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 ruled from where it began. Matheus Cunha displayed great intelligence. We made every effort to secure the equalizer and found ourselves in promising positions four or five times.”
Witness the image in full screen as Manchester United supporters display a banner stating ‘MUFC Proudly Colonised by Immigrants’ aimed at co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Photo credit: Martin Rickett/PA
After Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko made their mark, United took the lead. A feeble clearance from Palace fell right at Fernandes’ feet, who then delivered 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 the Slovene’s 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 would perplex even Miss Marple, and when Sesko made way for Amad Diallo in the 72nd minute, he was greeted with cheers as Michael Carrick’s squad cruised to the final whistle.
They currently sit in third place, based on goal difference, having earned 19 out of a possible 21 points under Carrick. Following a disappointing 15th-place finish last season, the outlook is now positive, and the interim manager deserves significant recognition for this turnaround. Regarding United’s current standing, he remarked: “It doesn’t hold much significance right now. Our aim is to continue advancing.”
It took Crystal Palace just four minutes to penetrate their opponents’ defense. Brennan Johnson delivered a corner from the left side, Leny Yoro lost track of Lacroix, who then 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 had conceded under Carrick, presenting a new 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 target United along the wings, 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 positions (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 significant choice. Benjamin is in a strong position and has made a considerable impact in recent weeks.”
Palace had triumphed in their last two matches following Glasner’s assertion that he was “not adequate” 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 illness, followed later by Harry Maguire, 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 effortlessly managed the goal.
Maxence Lacroix asserts his innocence after fouling 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 on target 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 attempt being accidentally deflected by Cunha, Sesko directing a Fernandes cross into Henderson’s grasp, and a ball from Fernandes that required Sesko to sprint towards 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.