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 vs Crystal Palace: Here come the teams
The players are ready and waiting in the tunnel at Old Trafford. Crystal Palace will be quietly confident that they can upset the Red Devils today. Manchester United will be hoping to get Ralf Rangnick’s tenure off to a winning start.
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace: Late goals sink Palace
Raphinha’s 94th minute winner for Leeds on Tusday night wasn’t the first time Crystal Palace have conceded late on this season. They have conceded in the 90th minute of league fixtures three times already costing them a total of five points which will be a frustrating concern for Patrick Vieira.
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace: Ralf Rangnick ready to stamp his style on Manchester United
Ralf Rangnick intends to bring success and style to Manchester United.
United’s new interim manager takes charge of his first match on Sunday as Crystal Palace visit Old Trafford in the Premier League.
The German has been brought in until the end of the season following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking a fortnight ago.
Ralf Rangnick ready to stamp his style on Manchester United
The German has taken over the Red Devils until the end of the season.
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace: Vieira on Benteke and Man Utd
Crystal Palace manager, Patrick Vieira, has been speaking to BBC MOTD and says he’s been impressed with his team’s recent performances even if results haven’t gone their way and singled out Christian Benteke as one of the players in good from. He said:
Last week against Leeds we did some interesting things, we have to keep this going.
"Christian Benteke is a really good target up front, he’s strong enough to hold up the ball. He’s scoring goals, that’s good for us. I still want him to score even more goals.
"I think it’s a tough place to come and perform because of the atmosphere and quality of the team.
“We know there’s been a lot of talk in the last few days but we have to do the talking ourselves as a team. Do what we can do to get the result."
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace: Rangnick looking for first victory
If Manchester United win today Ralf Rangnick will become the first German manager to win his first Premier League game in charge. United will also win consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the club.
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace: Eagles dipping in form
Crystal Palace’s back-to-back Premier League defeats have come after a seven-game unbeaten run. The defeat at Leeds was their first away from home in the league in four matches.
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace: Old Trafford’s weak defences
Manchester United have conceded in 15 consecutive home games across all competitions in what is their worst run since 1959. Add to that the brilliant form of David De Gea and this is a major problem that Ralf Rangnick needs to fix.
If Crystal Palace win today, United would have lost seven home fixtures in a calendar year for the first time in 35 years.
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace: Will manager quality matter most in Premier League top-four race?
There are four Champions League-winning managers plying their trade in the Premier League. Three of them occupy the top three spots and, unsurprisingly, are now beginning to open up a significant gap between themselves and the rest.
Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool, all within two points; then it’s seven down to...well, West Ham for now but any of five by Monday night, and further changes will follow over Christmas.
Will manager quality matter most in Premier League top-four race?
The mini-league to claim fourth is more wide open than ever, even as third and above looks even more closed-off
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace: Premier League standings
Manchester United could finish the day as high as fifth place if they defeat Crystal Palace and Tottenham fail to win against Norwich. If both team are successful United will move ahead of Arsenal into sixth and Spurs will take fifth spot. United are currently six points behind West Ham who occupy fourth and they’ll want to close that gap as quickly as possible.
Crystal Palace (11th) are eyeing up a return to the top 10 and can get there with three points today. They may not end the day that high though as Brentford could overtake them with three points against Leeds and Aston Villa can move above them with a godd result versus Leicester in the late kick off.
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace: Benteke on Palace
Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke has been speaking about life under Patrick Vieira, who took over as head coach during the summer, and says that this current Palace team is ‘one of the best I’ve played with’. Benteke told Premier League Produtcions:
With this team now I’ve been here for five years and it’s one of the best teams I’ve played with,
“I’ve been through good times, bad times. Now we have new staff, new players, new energy in the team. I think it’s good.
“It’s healthy competition. The manager has been a top player so he knows what he needs for every game. I think you don’t have to take it personally but at the same time obviously when you don’t play you get frustrated. Sometimes a player might be more important for that game than another player, but that doesn’t mean it’s something personal.”
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