United Beyond Manchester

Less than a week after a terrible defeat to Everton, Manchester United looked set to add to the misery with a miserable first half against Crystal Palace. However, two fringe players stepped up to give the Reds and Ruben Amorim an important win at Selhurst Park.

Read below to see who influenced the match and who struggled against Crystal Palace.

Starting Eleven

Senne Lammens: 7 – A couple of good saves from inside the box helped Lammens to a positive goals prevented metric. He wasn’t needed often, but the Belgian was there when the team needed him.

Leny Yoro: 4 – Yoro had a crucial block to deny Yeremy Pino in the 25th minute, but was otherwise poor. His lunging tackle on Mateta handed the home side a penalty after he was caught out of position.

Matthijs De Ligt: 5 – De Ligt struggled with Mateta at times, but overall put in a decent display as he helped keep the physical forward off the scoresheet from open play.

Luke Shaw: 7 – Shaw’s excellent defensive tracking after a slip by De Ligt in the first half kept Palace from adding a second. That intervention proved crucial as the Reds came back to win 2-1. With Lisandro Martinez back on the bench, Shaw performed well on the left side of the back three, logging three interceptions, three clearances, and the massive blocked shot that kept United down one.

Amad Diallo: 5 – Amad never got going down the left and was disappointing overall. When he does not contribute to the attack, his defensive ineptitude is more evident.

Casemiro: 5 -Casemiro failed to convert a promising early opportunity that could have shifted United’s momentum, and his influence remained limited throughout. He also rode his luck with the referee, narrowly avoiding a caution.

Bruno Fernandes: 8 – Fernandes finished the night with two assists, even if his scorers did much of the heavy lifting. What stood out, though, was his intelligence in creating both openings. His clipped ball to Zirkzee was perfectly weighted, putting the striker in position to take on the chance with confidence.

Diogo Dalot: 5 – Dalot was quiet and did not impact the attack. Defensively, he logged three clearances, an interception, and won his only tackle.

Bryan Mbeumo: 5 – Like Amad, Mbeumo struggled to get into the match. He missed a big chance and was unable to create for his team.

Mason Mount: 8 – Mount stepped up with an excellent finish on a set-piece routine, as he found the bottom corner through the wall. If the former England international can find form, it will lessen the burden of losing Amad and Mbeumo to AFCON.

Joshua Zirkzee: 7 – Zirkzee’s first-half performance was shocking, but the Dutchman rebounded with a well-taken finish from a tight angle early in the second half. He remained involved and improved significantly in his hold-up play throughout the rest of the match.

Substitutes:

Noussair Mazraoui: 7 – Yoro struggled, but Mazraoui came off the bench and defended well. He won six duels and cleared five times as Crystal Palace pushed, but failed, to equalize.

Lisandro Martinez: NR – Welcome back!

Kobbie Mainoo: NR

Patrick Dorgu: NR

Man of the Match: Bruno Fernandes