Manchester United vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today
Follow all the fallout from United’s 1-0 win over Palace at Old Trafford
The Ralf Rangnick era is under way and has an unlikely first hero, though perhaps a fitting one too. If this interim interregnum is all about taking players who appeared broken under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and repairing, repurposing and restoring them, then who better to get things going than Fred?
The much-maligned Manchester United midfielder was injuring his own goalkeeper on this ground only three days ago. Now, on the occasion of Rangnick’s first game in temporary charge, he was a match-winner, serenaded to a Joy Division tune by those still sat in the Stretford End while doing his post-match media duties. David de Gea’s ankles aren’t the only thing he is tearing apart now.
You can add a stubborn though largely second-best Crystal Palace to that list. Patrick Vieira’s side held out for 77 minutes only to be defeated by Fred’s uncharacteristically spectacular strike from range. This could all have taken on a very complexion if Jordan Ayew had converted one of this game’s few genuine chances just minutes earlier but, even so, it was a win that United just about deserved. Full report by Mark Critchley here.
Follow all the fallout from the game, the first look at United under Rangnick.
Man Utd 0 - 0 Crystal Palace
22 mins: Telles tries to release Rashford into the box but Guaita is off his line quickly to beat the Manchester United striker to the ball. The home side have certainly come out with intent to press. They pushing up on Palace and keeping tight lines in the midfield looking to utilise balls over the top for Rashford and Ronaldo.
Man Utd 0 - 0 Crystal Palace
19 mins: Chance! Ronaldo makes a run in behind the Crystal Palace centre-backs as Bruno Fernandes flicks a ball over the top. The offside flag stays down as Ronaldo chests the ball down and shoots on the turn. Marc Guehi tracks back and blocks the effort out for a Man Utd corner.
Man Utd 0 - 0 Crystal Palace
16 mins: Zaha takes on Diogo Dalot on Palace’s left wing and weaves his way into the box. He sends a low pass into the middle but Victor Lindelof boots it behind for a corner.
The set piece is whipped deep into the penalty area Jordan Ayew is free and waiting for a knockdown near the six-yard area but Alex Telles has it covered at the back post.
Man Utd 0 - 0 Crystal Palace
13 mins: Manchester United win a free kick on the inside left channel. Bruno Fernandes and Alex Telles stand over the deadball but there’s only one man who’s taking this. Cristiano Ronaldo jogs to the ball and hits it over the wall but can’t get enough dip to bring the ball under the crossbar and Vicente Guaita watches it go over the top.
Man Utd 0 - 0 Crystal Palace
11 mins: Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha combine as Palace boot a long ball down the pitch. Benteke brings it down and slots it to Zaha who sweeps inside from the right and hits a long-ranged effort straight at David De Gea.
Man Utd 0 - 0 Crystal Palace
9 mins: Chance! Cristiano Ronaldo receives the ball on the right edge of the penalty area and Palce drop away from him allowing him time to bring the ball inside. He moves it onto his left foot and flicks a cross towards the back post where Bruno Fernandes leaps at the ball but it just skims the top of his head and goes wide of goal.
Man Utd 0 - 0 Crystal Palace
6 mins: Manchester United swing the corner into the middle of the box and Palace work the ball out of the penalty area. Alex Telles brings it under control before firing a shot wide of the target.
Man Utd 0 - 0 Crystal Palace
3 mins: Cheikhou Kouyate is clipped by Fred lunging into a tackle in the middle of the pitch. The Crystal Palace midfielder goes down and United kick the ball out of play.
When play restarts - with Kouyate fine to play on - United flick an aerial pass over the top with Marcus Rashford making a run in behind. He brings the ball under control and wins a corner as he tries to sweep into the left side of the box.
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