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: Head-to-head
Manchester United have lost their last two home games against Crystal Palace which is as many as in the previous 22 meetings at Old Trafford.
They could fail to beat the Eagles for a third consecutive match for the first time since a run of four between 1925-1970.
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace: Rangnick’s tenure begins
There is a feeling of excitement bubbling around Old Trafford as fans get ready to witness Ralf Rangnick’s first game in charge of Manchester United.
Rangnick is a well-thought of coach who will bring both structure and discipline to the team that was sorely missing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign.
But, he has only been an orthodox manager for two seasons since the 2011 Champions League semi-final, when his Schalke side were dismantled by Sir Alex Ferguson’s United.
Rangnick wrote in today’s programme notes:
“Managing Manchester United, even in an interim capacity, is a massive challenge but, to me, this feels like I am in the right place at the right time.”
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace: Team changes
Ralf Rangnick’s first Manchester United team is unchanges from the starting XI that beat Arsenal on Thursday night. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the line with Bruno Fernandes in behind. Diogo Dalot keeps his place at right-back with Aaron Wan-Bissaka settling for a place on the bench.
There are two changes for Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace. Christian Benteke replaces Odsonne Eduoard up front with Nathaniel Clyne slotting into the defence in place of the suspended Joel Ward.
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace: Line-ups
Man Utd XI: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles, McTominay, Fred, Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford, Ronaldo
Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Clyne, Tomkins, Guehi, Mitchell, Kouyate, Schlupp, Gallagher, Ayew, Benteke, Zaha
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace: ‘You cannot turn down Manchester United’: Ralf Rangnick unveiled as manager to begin club’s new era
Manchester United stepped into a new era on Friday morning as the German innovator Ralf Rangnick was unveiled as new interim manager in the club’s boldest move since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure eight years ago.
Less than 12 hours after caretaker Michael Carrick walked away from the club – marking the last of Ferguson’s 2008 Champions League winners to leave Old Trafford, having played and then coached at United ever since – the 63-year-old Rangnick gave a measured press conference in which he hailed Cristiano Ronaldo, warned of the “big” gap to the Premier League’s three, and hinted he could stay on permanently.
‘You cannot turn down Manchester United’: Ralf Rangnick unveiled as interim manager
Ralf Rangnick hailed Cristiano Ronaldo, warned of the ‘big’ gap to the Premier League’s three and hinted he could stay on permanently in his first press conference at Manchester United
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace: Rangnick takes charge
Manchester United’s new era begins today as Ralf Rangnick takes charge of his first game as interim manager. The 63-year-old German will coach the Red Devils until the end of the season and will remain in a consultancy role afterwards.
Speaking of his decision to join Manchester United Rangnick said:
I want to develop the team, train the brains and at the same time, encourage the players to do the right things.
"It’s important to win games in the first instance, and then step by step, develop the team in the right direction."
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace: Recent results
Manchester United enjoyed a good but short run under caretaker boss Michael Carrick which saw them win two and draw one of his three games in charge. Carrick steered the Red Devils to a Champions League last-16 place with a 2-0 victory over Villarreal before earning a 1-1 draw away at Chelsea and coming from behind to defeat Arsenal 3-2 last time out. That win over the Gunners was Carrick’s last involvement with the club and he left immediately after the game. Today Man Utd play their first match under interim manager Ralf Rangnick as they take on Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.
Crystal Palace meanwhile have taken a dip in form. After seven Premier League games without defeat – including a 2-0 win over Manchester City – the Eagles have lost their last two games, against Aston Villa and Leeds respectively. Last time out Raphinha converted a 94th minute penalty to earn Leeds all three points against Palace who seemed to have dug in for a draw. If they beat Manchester United today Patrick Vieira’s men can move back into the top 10 and start to think about pushing for a European place next season.
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace: Team news
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a doubt after sustaining a hand injury against Chelsea, while Nemanja Matic has a hamstring tweak which could keep him out.
Luke Shaw is expected to miss out with a head injury, while Raphael Varane, Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani all remain out.
Palace defender Joachim Andersen could return after a thigh injury, but James McArthur and Nathan Ferguson are injured and Joel Ward is suspended.
Manchester United vs Crystal Palace: Predicted line-ups
Manchester United: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles, McTominay, Fred, Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford, Ronaldo.
Crystal Palace: Guaita, Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Milivojevic, Gallagher, Schlupp, Zaha, Ayew, Edouard.
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