As the second half commenced, a banner was unveiled in the Stretford End proclaiming: “MUFC proudly colonised by immigrants.” This could be seen as a response to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s claim that these lands have been inundated by foreigners (for which the co-owner offered a lukewarm apology). Manchester United needed to counter 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 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 against his previous teammate from United. “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 make the stop. Fortunately, he chose the opposite direction.”
Oliver Glasner expressed his discontent about the penalty decision in a charming manner, 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 stated: “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 judged 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 proclaiming ‘MUFC Proudly Colonised by Immigrants’ aimed at co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Photo credit: Martin Rickett/PA
When Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko made their move, United took the lead. A feeble clearance from Palace fell right at Fernandes’ 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 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 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 cruised to the final whistle.
They currently sit in third place, thanks to a goal difference, having earned 19 out of a possible 21 points under Carrick’s management. Following a disappointing 15th-place finish last season, the team’s trajectory is upward, and the interim manager deserves significant recognition for this. 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 score against their opponents. Brennan Johnson delivered a corner from the left side, and Leny Yoro lost track of Lacroix, who managed to head 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 – or 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 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. Carrick remarked on this: “It wasn’t a significant choice. Benjamin is in great form and has made a substantial impact lately.”
Palace had triumphed in their last two matches following Glasner’s assertion 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 feeling unwell – a situation mirrored by Harry Maguire later on – leading to Noussair Mazraoui stepping in for the left-back. This further unsettled a team that was already struggling with erratic passes, slow challenges, and a lack of creativity, failing to break through the Eagles, while Henderson comfortably managed the goal.
Maxence Lacroix asserts his innocence after colliding with 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 seemed destined for the net until it struck Sarr. Shortly after, Sesko was denied by a Palace defender as he attempted to shoot, providing a glimmer 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 urging 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 following 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.