The only unbeaten Premier League record in 2026 went on the line at Old Trafford, and it was under huge threat inside five minutes when Palace took a surprise lead.
There was nothing textbook about how the opener came about, as Brennan Johnson’s deep corner saw Maxence Lacroix shake off his marker and find the far corner with an inch-perfect header.
That was the first time United had gone behind at Old Trafford in the league since mid-December, and knowing the hosts were likely to come roaring back at some point, Ismaila Sarr came close to doubling the Eagles’ advantage when he was denied by Senne Lammens after being teed up by Daniel Munoz.
For an Oliver Glasner-led Palace, this felt somewhat like an Old Trafford audition, given his heavy links to the United job, which becomes available in the summer.
The visitors’ first-half display certainly did him no harm in that sense, but United looked like they were returning to their early-season struggles, with countless poor decisions around the area costing them dearly.
It was perhaps little surprise then that their first big chances came from set-plays, as Bruno Fernandes first forced Dean Henderson into a strong save from a free-kick, before his teasing delivery fell perfectly on the head of Casemiro, whose glancing header flashed just wide of the post.
United were keen to start the second half quicker and almost did so in perfect fashion when the ball fell kindly for Benjamin Sesko, whose wicked effort was heroically blocked by Jaydee Canvot.
The game turned hugely on its head shortly before the hour mark when Lacroix went from hero to zero when he dragged Matheus Cunha back inside the area, and a penalty was awarded.
His misery was compounded by a swift VAR check confirming that he’d actually denied a clear goalscoring opportunity, and after he was sent off, his mood worsened when Fernandes dispatched the resulting penalty.
The comeback was soon complete for United, and no prizes for guessing where their second goal came from.
Fernandes was the architect, bending in a sensational ball for Sesko, who burst between two Palace defenders and headed home his fourth goal in his last five appearances.
The closing stages could’ve been a lot more comfortable for United had Dean Henderson not impressively denied both Casemiro and Amad Diallo, but with a numerical advantage, they had no issues seeing out a victory, which moved them up to the heady heights of third.
Palace’s focus now switches to a London derby with Spurs in midweek.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
