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 the nation has been inundated by foreigners (for which the co-owner offered a lukewarm apology). Manchester United needed to respond after a lackluster first half that saw them behind due to Maxence Lacroix’s early goal.
Just eleven minutes following 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 dismissal. 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 saved Tolu Arokodare’s penalty for Wolves] and stop it. Fortunately, he chose the opposite direction.”
Oliver Glasner expressed his discontent regarding the penalty decision in a charming manner, claiming it was a result of the “Old Trafford bounce.” He argued, 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 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.”
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
When Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko stepped up next, United took the lead. A feeble clearance from Palace fell right at Fernandes’s feet, who then delivered a cross from the right side. 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 red 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 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 standing, he remarked: “At this point, it doesn’t hold much significance. Our aim is to continue our advancement.”
It took Palace just four minutes to penetrate their opponents’ defense. Brennan Johnson delivered a corner from the left, 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 at which United conceded under Carrick this season, 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 target United along their flanks, necessitating support from Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for 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 form, which earned him a spot in the starting lineup – replacing Diallo – at the No 9 position. Carrick remarked on this: “It wasn’t a particularly difficult 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 was at work, as at this point, the Austrian’s squad outperformed their rivals.
After 23 minutes, Shaw had to leave the field due to illness – 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 on target until it struck Sarr, and shortly after, Sesko was denied by a Palace defender during his shot: a sign of hope for United.
Subsequent actions included Mazraoui’s attempt 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 move to the near post. The home captain started to dominate the play. Henderson managed to tip over his curling free-kick, and his next delivery found Casemiro’s head, but the Brazilian was unable to convert.
United’s resurgence in the second half unfolded dramatically. It culminated in a delightful swivel-and-shot from Diallo that had Henderson diving to his right to deflect it away, further highlighting the dominance that Carrick’s squad exhibited.
