As the second half commenced, a banner was unveiled 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 half-hearted apology). Manchester United required their own response to a lackluster first half that saw 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 persisted 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 the left, who misjudged the direction.
This set the captain against his previous United colleague. “I collaborated with him,” Fernandes mentioned. “He even told 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 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 leading 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 find the equalizer and had several promising opportunities 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’ feet, who 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 his ninth goal for United and his seventh in the last eight matches.
United moved like a crimson tide. The lifeless first half was a puzzle even Miss Marple would struggle to solve, 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, their trajectory is upward, and the interim manager deserves significant recognition for this. Regarding United’s standing, he remarked: “It doesn’t hold much significance right now. 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, 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 moment 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, 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 form earning him a spot in the starting lineup – replacing Diallo – at the No 9 position. Regarding this, Carrick remarked: “It wasn’t a particularly difficult choice. Benjamin is performing well and has made a significant impact lately.”
Palace had secured victories in their last two matches following Glasner’s assertion 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 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 blend of misplaced passes, slow tackles, and a lack of creativity, struggling to break through the Eagles, while Henderson comfortably managed his role in goal.
Maxence Lacroix maintains 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 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 urging Sesko to sprint towards the near post. The home captain started to take control of the match. Henderson managed to tip over his curling free-kick, while 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 had Henderson diving to his right to deflect it away, further highlighting the dominance exhibited by Carrick’s squad.
