With Manchester United looking to maintain their 100% win record from pre-season, the Red Devils would face Premier League opposition in Crystal Palace.
United would remain without both James Garner, and Raphael Varane, with the duo both again missing out. The decision was made by new United boss Erik ten Hag as a precaution following the minor injuries the pair are battling.
Despite two players missing out on the game, United would still confidently dispatch Crystal Palace. With goals from Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, and the free-scoring Anthony Martial securing a 3-1 win.
First Half
Sporting their new away shirt, United looked the dominant side for almost all of the first half. Whilst it’s worth admitting that Palace’s team had few in the way of their usual starters, United still remained in total control for the first 45.
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Anthony Martial, who has been in top form since the start of United’s pre-season tour, had the chance to add to his goal tally early on. Having already scored against Liverpool, and Melbourne Victory, Martial was slipped in by Fred who’s shot was saved by Jack Butland. The action would ultimately be Butland’s last of the game, being forced off with an injury as a result of the save.
It wouldn’t be long till Martial would get his goal though, with the France international opening the scoring for the day in the 18th minute. New signing Tyrell Malacia would send a ball over towards Diogo Dalot, who confidently brought the ball down. Picking out Martial, it was yet another smart finish from the striker, who continues to be the star of United’s pre-season tour.
Despite strangely being on the receiving end of heavy boos every time he touched the ball, Harry Maguire put in an impressive display for the majority of the first 45. Again featuring on the right side of the two centre-backs, the captain’s passing range again stood out, picking out both wingers throughout the game. Maguire’s defensive abilities were also called upon, with the skipper denying Palace’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi from getting a clean shot at goal away. Maguire would also see a shot go just wide of the post as the half drew to a close.
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Also impressive was Maguire’s fellow countrymen Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho. Continuing to operate on his favoured left side, Rashford played like a man with a point to prove, and was unlucky not to pick up an assist following an excellent cross late on in the first half. Sancho meanwhile became an instrumental part in a lot of what was good for United, with his budding relationship with Dalot continuing to thrive.
The first half would end with Killian Phillips of Crystal Palace picking up a yellow card, before an ambitious Marcus Rashford free-kick was saved by Palace’s substitute keeper Remi Matthews.
Second Half
Kicking off the second-half with a largely identical team, only Scott McTominay was replaced, with Donny van de Beek taking his place. The Dutch international wouldn’t need long to make his mark on the game, picking up an assist, as Marcus Rashford scored United's second of the game.
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Rashford’s goal would come almost immediately as the second half kicked off, a four-pronged attack from United, brought with it excellent passing, and ultimately a second goal. Rashford, Martial, Sancho, and Van de Beek all linked up, with seamless passing accuracy. Van de Beek would be allowed the opportunity to move the ball across the box to Rashford, who graciously scored when facing a largely open net.
Pouncing on some poor defending from Crystal Palace, Bruno Fernandes would come close to scoring United’s third of the day. Fernandes was on the receiving end of a Dalot through-ball, making his way into the box, but his volleyed effort would go wide.
A third goal was due for United, and a third goal was delivered upon. The final member of Man United’s front three, Jadon Sancho would bomb into acres of space, before a simple body feint allowed him to trick Matthews in the Palace goal, opening up the space, Sancho confidently slotted home.
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The 65th minute would see United and Palace make plenty of changes, with United in particular changing the majority of their team. In total, eight outfield changes were made, with Ethan Laird being introduced later on. One change made by Ten Hag, saw the first pre-season appearance of Hannibal Mejbri.
Joel Ward would score Palace’s only goal of the game, the defender who made a rather serious mistake for Sancho’s goal, would make up for his error by scoring for the Eagles.
The goal would come after a David De Gea save led to a corner, then in a cruel taste of irony, it would be a mistake from De Gea that allowed Ward’s goal to creep in. A worrying sign that despite the clear improvement from United in pre-season, the ghosts of set pieces gone by still lingers.
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Palace would ultimately be denied a second goal, after Will Fish brought down Palace’s Victor Akinwale on the edge of the box. A poor touch from Fish allowed the ball to get away from him, and with no other options the young defender pulled down the Palace player. Despite it being pre-season, the referee was left with no other option than to give the defender his marching orders.
Following that decision, the game largely died down. With a lack of clear chances, the Manchester United youngsters seemed happy to maintain possession, attacking with a lack of real intensity. The final score on the day would be a 3-1 Manchester United win.
Manchester United’s pre-season tour will continue on Saturday, with the side facing yet more Premier League opposition in Aston Villa.
The Villains have heavily strengthened their team so far this window, and in the two league matches between the sides, United failed to win either match. They did however beat Villa in the FA Cup.
United vs Villa will kick-off at 10:45am UK time on Saturday morning.
Manchester United Confirmed Line-ups:
De Gea, Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia, Fred, McTominay, Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial
Crystal Palace Confirmed Line-ups:
Butland, Clyne, Ward, Andersen, Mitchell, Rak-Sakyi, Milivojevic, Phillips, Ayew, Mateta, Ebiowei
Manchester United Subs:
Van de Beek (2nd Half/Half Time). Wan-Bissaka, Fish, Telles, Laird, Savage, Iqbal, Amad, Mejrbi, Elanga (2nd Half)
Crystal Palace Subs:
Matthews (1st Half). Quick, Ola-Adebomi, Ozoh, Raymond, Adaramola, Akinwale, Banks, O’Brien, Siddik, Boateng (2nd Half)
Topics: Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Football, Erik Ten Hag
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Jozef Kostecki