Manchester United fought back to beat 10-man Crystal Palace and go third in the Premier League after a controversial penalty and red card decision.
Palace were on course for a third straight win at Old Trafford when Maxence Lacroix, who had opened the scoring for the visitors in the fourth minute, grabbed at Matheus Cunha in the second half.
Although the initial contact was outside the penalty box, Lacroix did not let go as the Brazilian forward entered the area.
Cunha then went down and, after being sent to the screen, referee Chris Kavanagh stood by his initial decision to award a penalty – and also sent Lacroix off as the United attacker would have had a goalscoring opportunity.
ALSO READ: Why Man United failed to sign Osimhen — McCarthy
Bruno Fernandes fired the 57th-minute spot-kick past Dean Henderson to equalise, and Benjamin Sesko put the hosts in front eight minutes later when he powered home a header from Fernandes’ cross.
The Slovenian striker was scoring for the third successive game and took his tally to seven in his past eight matches.
Former United goalkeeper Henderson prevented Casemiro from increasing the hosts’ lead with a brilliant reaction save and later also stopped a dangerous effort from substitute Amad Diallo.
The result extends Michael Carrick’s record in charge to six wins and a draw from seven games and takes his side above Aston Villa into third on goal difference.
It is the first time United have been as high as third since Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge in 2023.
Palace are 14th in the table, 10 points clear of the relegation zone, and will surely target the Conference League as another piece of silverware and European qualification before boss Oliver Glasner leaves the club this summer.
They may be up to third and in fine form, but not everything at Manchester United is rosy.
At the start of the second half, some fans took out a banner declaring “MUFC proudly colonised by immigrants” in reference to minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s controversial immigration comments.
While supporters may remain disaffected at Ratcliffe’s remarks, on-pitch matters could not be going much better under interim boss Carrick.
Given United have no European football and, after their trip to Newcastle on Wednesday, no more midweek games, it would now be a shock if they do not qualify for the Champions League.
After struggling to make an impact under Ruben Amorim, Sesko is now in a rich vein of form and offering the kind of physical presence in attack that Rasmus Hojlund was unable to produce in two seasons as United’s leading striker.
The presence of Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo clearly helps in terms of taking the pressure off and, with the decisive little bits of good fortune any team needs to succeed also going their way, United are in a good place.
Cunha is bound to be criticised for going down too easily in the incident that changed the game, but that overlooks the point that Lacroix’s actions made it possible.
The only blow for Carrick was the fact that left-back Luke Shaw was taken off after 24 minutes with an injury and must be a doubt for the Newcastle match.
(BBC)
"He was a symbol of strength, determination and resolve, and created unforgettable moments...
He emphasised the importance of coordination in planning, timely execution, disciplined delivery....
IFAB has already agreed to look at measures to stop players from hiding what they…
He said MMA’s emergence from relative obscurity reflects deliberate institutional backing by the Police....
They’ll capture a league that believes it belongs on the big stage and on April…
The footballer was found guilty of having non-consensual sexual relations in March 2021....
This website uses cookies.