Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace: Marcus Rashford helps hosts to 13th straight home win - BBC Sport
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Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace: Marcus Rashford helps hosts to 13th straight home win

By Simon StoneBBC Sport at Old Trafford

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments1171

Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford celebrate a Manchester United goal v Crystal Palace in the Premier League
Bruno Fernandes put Manchester United ahead from the penalty spot

Marcus Rashford continued his post-World Cup scoring streak as a Manchester United side reduced to 10 men survived late Crystal Palace pressure to secure Premier League victory at Old Trafford.

Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring from the penalty spot after the video assistant referee spotted a Will Hughes handball and United seemed to be cruising when Rashford turned home Luke Shaw's cross 17 minutes into the second half for his 11th goal since returning from Qatar.

But the contest turned dramatically when, amid a confrontation that resulted in both Antony and Jeffrey Schlupp being booked, VAR Tony Harrington spotted Casemiro with his hands round Hughes' neck.

After a pitchside review, referee Andre Marriner sent the influential Brazilian off for violent conduct, which triggers an immediate three-match domestic ban.

Schlupp halved the deficit almost immediately and amid increasingly frantic scenes around the home area, United ended the game with four central defenders protecting their goal as Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof were added to starting pair Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.

Respective managers Erik ten Hag and Patrick Vieira, who started the afternoon laying wreaths in honour of the victims of the 1958 Munich air disaster, ended it ranting at fourth official Joshua Smith and then marching to the centre circle to make their points to Marriner as both argued against decisions that went against their team.

United's 13th consecutive win at Old Trafford lifts them to third in the table while Palace remain 12th.

Rashford and Fred key for United

With Antony Martial ruled out through injury, Rashford's goals output is going to be crucial for United.

He now has 19 in all competitions and the England man also claimed an assist for the hosts' opener when his cross was handled by Hughes and Fernandes converted the resulting penalty.

If Rashford's goals are needed, and with Casemiro now missing two Premier League games within five days against Leeds and the home encounter with Leicester on 19 February, Fred is almost as important.

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring against Crystal Palace
Marcus Rashford scored his sixth goal in seven Premier League games

The Brazilian has tended to be held up as an example of United's profligacy in the transfer market.

He cost £47m in 2018 but has rarely shown anything positive beyond running around furiously to no great end product.

Yet, as Ten Hag pointed out recently, the midfielder partners Casemiro for his country "and Brazil are not a bad side", suggesting the 29-year-old is capable of more than he has produced in his nearly five seasons in the Premier League.

He has looked a different player in recent times.

Fred still hustles and harries but he also links play well, is prepared to shoot from distance and, as he proved when he burst into the box and sent Wout Weghorst's cut-back to the near post narrowly wide of the Palace goal, can be a significant threat inside the area as well.

When he laid on his back deep in injury time and gulped in some air, it underlined the effort Fred had put in during the desperate defending United were forced into at the end.

Palace poor run continues

This was yet another day when Palace played well and ended without reward.

Vieira's side now have five points from their past eight games, form that must be overturned if they are to stay out of trouble at the bottom of the table.

Schlupp was excellent. His goal was instinctive and he also created an opening in the first half with a neat turn into space.

The absence of Wilfried Zaha with a hamstring injury was not a major blow in that sense and it took a brilliant David de Gea save to deny skipper Marc Guehi and concede the corner from which Palace scored.

However, while they are unquestionably a better side to watch than in Roy Hodgson's day, they are also easier to score against.

They have only five top-flight clean sheets all season and the room Rashford was afforded for what turned out to be the winner was poor considering how close he was to goal. Amid the fluidity of his side further forward, Vieira must not neglect the basic art of defending.

Player of the match

RashfordMarcus Rashford

with an average of 8.22

Manchester United

  1. Squad number10Player nameRashford
    Average rating

    8.22

  2. Squad number6Player nameLi Martínez
    Average rating

    7.69

  3. Squad number8Player nameBruno Fernandes
    Average rating

    7.62

  4. Squad number23Player nameShaw
    Average rating

    7.50

  5. Squad number19Player nameVarane
    Average rating

    7.37

  6. Squad number29Player nameWan-Bissaka
    Average rating

    7.14

  7. Squad number1Player namede Gea
    Average rating

    7.14

  8. Squad number5Player nameMaguire
    Average rating

    7.08

  9. Squad number15Player nameSabitzer
    Average rating

    7.07

  10. Squad number49Player nameGarnacho
    Average rating

    7.06

  11. Squad number17Player nameFred
    Average rating

    7.04

  12. Squad number27Player nameWeghorst
    Average rating

    6.93

  13. Squad number18Player nameCasemiro
    Average rating

    6.77

  14. Squad number21Player nameAntony
    Average rating

    6.69

  15. Squad number2Player nameLindelöf
    Average rating

    6.55

Crystal Palace

  1. Squad number10Player nameEze
    Average rating

    5.51

  2. Squad number8Player nameSambi Lokonga
    Average rating

    5.49

  3. Squad number7Player nameOlise
    Average rating

    5.32

  4. Squad number15Player nameSchlupp
    Average rating

    5.11

  5. Squad number22Player nameÉdouard
    Average rating

    5.03

  6. Squad number26Player nameRichards
    Average rating

    4.99

  7. Squad number13Player nameGuaita
    Average rating

    4.96

  8. Squad number6Player nameGuéhi
    Average rating

    4.95

  9. Squad number9Player nameJ Ayew
    Average rating

    4.93

  10. Squad number28Player nameDoucouré
    Average rating

    4.92

  11. Squad number14Player nameMateta
    Average rating

    4.87

  12. Squad number29Player nameAhamada
    Average rating

    4.84

  13. Squad number17Player nameClyne
    Average rating

    4.83

  14. Squad number19Player nameHughes
    Average rating

    4.82

  15. Squad number3Player nameMitchell
    Average rating

    4.79

Line-ups

Man Utd

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1de Gea
  • 29Wan-BissakaSubstituted forLindelöfat 87'minutes
  • 19Varane
  • 6Li Martínez
  • 23Shaw
  • 18CasemiroBooked at 70mins
  • 17Fred
  • 21AntonyBooked at 67minsSubstituted forSabitzerat 81'minutes
  • 8Bruno Fernandes
  • 10Rashford
  • 27WeghorstSubstituted forGarnachoat 59'minutesSubstituted forMaguireat 87'minutes

Substitutes

  • 2Lindelöf
  • 5Maguire
  • 12Malacia
  • 15Sabitzer
  • 20Dalot
  • 22Heaton
  • 25Sancho
  • 49Garnacho
  • 73Mainoo

Crystal Palace

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 13Guaita
  • 17Clyne
  • 26Richards
  • 6Guéhi
  • 3MitchellBooked at 45mins
  • 28DoucouréSubstituted forAhamadaat 82'minutes
  • 19HughesSubstituted forSambi Lokongaat 72'minutes
  • 9J AyewSubstituted forEzeat 73'minutes
  • 7Olise
  • 15SchluppBooked at 67minsSubstituted forMatetaat 83'minutes
  • 22Édouard

Substitutes

  • 4Milivojevic
  • 5Tomkins
  • 8Sambi Lokonga
  • 10Eze
  • 14Mateta
  • 21Johnstone
  • 29Ahamada
  • 41Whitworth
  • 44Riedewald
Referee:
Andre Marriner
Attendance:
73,420

Match Stats

Home TeamMan UtdAway TeamCrystal Palace
Possession
Home53%
Away47%
Shots
Home14
Away10
Shots on Target
Home5
Away3
Corners
Home5
Away5
Fouls
Home9
Away9

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Manchester United 2, Crystal Palace 1.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Manchester United 2, Crystal Palace 1.

  3. Post update

    Offside, Crystal Palace. Albert Sambi Lokonga tries a through ball, but Michael Olise is caught offside.

  4. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Odsonne Édouard (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tyrick Mitchell.

  5. Post update

    Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  6. Post update

    Foul by Chris Richards (Crystal Palace).

  7. Post update

    Foul by Marcel Sabitzer (Manchester United).

  8. Post update

    Albert Sambi Lokonga (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  9. Post update

    Attempt missed. Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) header from the right side of the six yard box is too high following a set piece situation.

  10. Post update

    Attempt missed. Naouirou Ahamada (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right following a set piece situation.

  11. Substitution

    Substitution, Manchester United. Victor Lindelöf replaces Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

  12. Substitution

    Substitution, Manchester United. Harry Maguire replaces Alejandro Garnacho.

  13. Post update

    Foul by Luke Shaw (Manchester United).

  14. Post update

    Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  15. Post update

    Fred (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  16. Post update

    Foul by Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace).

  17. Substitution

    Substitution, Crystal Palace. Jean-Philippe Mateta replaces Jeffrey Schlupp.

  18. Substitution

    Substitution, Crystal Palace. Naouirou Ahamada replaces Cheick Oumar Doucouré.

  19. Substitution

    Substitution, Manchester United. Marcel Sabitzer replaces Antony.

  20. Post update

    Attempt missed. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box misses to the right.

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1171 comments

  • Comment posted by Cobalt 21, at 17:32 4 Feb 2023

    I think I speak for every United fan when I say that a suspended Casemiro is better than a fully fit Paul Flop-gba!

    • Reply posted by SleepPoster, at 17:41 4 Feb 2023

      SleepPoster replied:
      I needed a laugh thanks

  • Comment posted by Nirospoem, at 18:07 4 Feb 2023

    Thank you Palace fans for the class you showed in respects to Munich. Honestly, really does matter.

    • Reply posted by cabby, at 18:11 4 Feb 2023

      cabby replied:
      Absolutely, well said. Thank you CP fans

  • Comment posted by Steve Mclawrence, at 17:29 4 Feb 2023

    A year ago United would have lost or drawn that game. They are now learning to scrap for results when things are starting to go wrong, a trait not seen for a while at the club. And better they are for

    • Reply posted by Forever United , at 17:52 4 Feb 2023

      Forever United replied:
      Very true

  • Comment posted by MrBlueSky, at 17:29 4 Feb 2023

    Well done to the 10 men of United winning against the 12 men of Palace.

    Surprised the ref only played 10 minutes of the 7 minutes of injury time......

  • Comment posted by Eagle Shields, at 17:31 4 Feb 2023

    Harsh red for Casemiro, but he should have positioned his hands on the chest or something, kind of asked for it!
    I think until Utd give Antony an education he'll continue to be a problem for you.
    Frustrating game for an Eagle, you guys stifled us until the red!
    Well played and good luck

  • Comment posted by TheFonz, at 17:29 4 Feb 2023

    Is everybody on the Liverpool HYS having a good laugh? :)

    • Reply posted by Off you trot Glazers, at 17:39 4 Feb 2023

      Off you trot Glazers replied:
      Yes, but it does get boring laughing at them week in and week out....

  • Comment posted by kinglouie, at 17:30 4 Feb 2023

    Love to know why Marriner is still a referee?

    • Reply posted by davet, at 17:40 4 Feb 2023

      davet replied:
      And why Anthony is at United.

  • Comment posted by TheDarkKnight, at 17:33 4 Feb 2023

    Marriner needs investigating for that. He deliberately changed the game to help Palace. Casemiro was trying to STOP the fighting by holding someone back. The moment you see a ref running to the VAR screen you know he’s going to give a pen or send someone off. It’s the new rule. Suspend Marriner. Overturn the red card. Appeal.

  • Comment posted by Eddguy , at 17:31 4 Feb 2023

    Daft from Casemiro and no choice but a red really. But how is Ayew shoving his hand in Fred's face not the same? Surely both a red or neither.

    • Reply posted by davids2112, at 17:40 4 Feb 2023

      davids2112 replied:
      You mean after Fred slapped him?

  • Comment posted by Un1ted, at 17:28 4 Feb 2023

    the fact Hughes didnt even protest against Casemiro tells you all you need to do. But we keep marching up the table while r rivals stumble.

    • Reply posted by You, at 17:33 4 Feb 2023

      You replied:
      Man U Fans after the city Game - but, but, but by the letter of the law he wasn’t offside

      Also Man U fans when the ref follows the letter of the law - it is the most ridiculous decision ever to have been given in football

  • Comment posted by Pandemania, at 17:29 4 Feb 2023

    How is that a red card and the 2 tackles Liverpool did in the cup not sending off joke

    • Reply posted by smokinjoe, at 17:49 4 Feb 2023

      smokinjoe replied:
      COZ HE WAS LITERALLY STRANGLING THE DUDE

  • Comment posted by Sheiling, at 17:29 4 Feb 2023

    That does not constitute violent conduct. He was probably just trying to hold the guy off as there was a huge melee. Chris Waddle said it was the worse VAR/refereeing decision he had ever seen.

    • Reply posted by Lisa, at 17:43 4 Feb 2023

      Lisa replied:
      What does he know. Totally biased towards Man U.

  • Comment posted by Borg, at 17:31 4 Feb 2023

    Casemiro was just trying to change things up, since Liverpool have done most of the choking this season.

    • Reply posted by United Dreamer, at 18:08 4 Feb 2023

      United Dreamer replied:
      They're still doing most of the choking lol

  • Comment posted by Meezy, at 17:33 4 Feb 2023

    Antony 😡 nearly cost Man Utd this one, unnecessary reaction. Normally Utd would have lost this one. This team is growing.

    • Reply posted by lordbyron, at 17:48 4 Feb 2023

      lordbyron replied:
      Watching Antony hurts these days. So predictable, collects the ball tries to go along the line, realizes he can’t cross with his right foot, so stops, tries to cut in, half of the time that doesn’t work so he passes back…. And o ya, once in a while he stops and dances and the yet again passes back.

  • Comment posted by chanasnakepit, at 17:32 4 Feb 2023

    Massive win for united. 3 points in these types of matches are huge.
    United normally would have collapsed after that red card and lost 4-2

    • Reply posted by Neutral Sports Fan, at 17:38 4 Feb 2023

      Neutral Sports Fan replied:
      Agree. The fact that United didn’t collapse, shows some growth in the team.

  • Comment posted by Forever United , at 17:31 4 Feb 2023

    The casemiro red card was way too harsh, the protagonists received yellow cards and same should have been given to casemiro. But I love the New Manchester United, very deserving win

    • Reply posted by Brightonforever, at 17:36 4 Feb 2023

      Brightonforever replied:
      He only has himself to blame and I wonderr if you'd say that of someone put thier hands around your neck!!!

  • Comment posted by One4All, at 17:31 4 Feb 2023

    Would've been happier if Casemiro got sent off for putting hands around ref or Vieira 's neck

    • Reply posted by smokinjoe, at 17:48 4 Feb 2023

      smokinjoe replied:
      Says a true manu fan. Thats why we hate that club

  • Comment posted by PineappleOnPizza, at 17:27 4 Feb 2023

    Unnecessary from Casemiro; 3 match ban for an important player.
    Sigh of relief in the end; Martinez saves the day.

    • Reply posted by beastfromtheeast, at 17:32 4 Feb 2023

      beastfromtheeast replied:
      Or 2 weeks rest before barca
      The next 3 games are Leeds and Leicester he won’t be missed

  • Comment posted by Replay FC When it suits, at 17:30 4 Feb 20