Just when it looked like Manchester United had found their mojo again after so long. A late free-kick from Michael Olisse denied Erik ten Hag’s side a 10th straight win and second place in the Premier League after Bruno Fernandes’ first-half goal looked to provide even more convincing evidence that the side crowned as champion of England more than anyone else can be a serious contender for the title again.
With the trip to leaders Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday coming up, United are now eight points adrift having played a game more but should now be much closer after surrendering their advantage with almost the last kick of the game against a spirited Crystal Palace side .
A late yellow card for Casemiro, which will take United’s vital cog out of the Arsenal game, looked like a minor blow for United, but. After Marcus Rashford failed to continue his superb run of goals in seven consecutive appearances, Patrick Vieira’s side eventually celebrated late in the match to avoid a fourth straight defeat at home.
Not since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson had United won 10 in a row in all competitions, with the current run coinciding with what turned out to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final appearance for the club in a 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa in November. The selection of Weghorst as the main striker following his arrival on loan from Burnley therefore represents the next stage of the Ten Haag revolution, with the Netherlands striker one of three changes.
In contrast, Palace have struggled to find their footing since the World Cup break and come into this match looking for a boost having scored just once in their last three home matches. Vieira handed a full Premier League debut to American defender Chris Richards, recalled midfielder Will Hughes and paired Jean-Philippe Mateta and Odsson Edouard in his revamped front line.
It was this combination that almost created Edouard’s first chance in the opening minutes, but the former Celtic man refused to shoot and United immediately warned of the threat they posed on the break through Rashford’s mercurial legs.
Luke Shaw had a chance on the half-volley after 15 minutes following a great strike from Antoni, before Lisandro Martinez went off for treatment on a head injury and returned with a black bandage wrapped around his head. A moment’s hesitation by Tyreek Mitchell then allowed Anthony to see goal, but the Brazilian’s shot went harmlessly wide.
Bruno Fernandes (right) celebrates his goal with Christian Eriksen (left) and Manchester United debutant Wat Weghorst at Selhurst Park. Photo: Matthew Ashton/AMA/Getty Images
A few choice words between the ex-Ajax striker and Fernandes after they had passed the cables in one move hinted at some growing frustrations for United and Weghorst should have done better with his first big chance after latching on to Shaw’s pinpoint cross . At the other end, Marc Guehi latched on to Olisset’s free-kick but couldn’t get it on target as Palace found themselves restricted to the occasional foray forward. That was until just before half-time when Olise brought down Edouard on the edge of the box and it took a spectacular save from David de Gea to tip the French striker’s shot onto the post.
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Less than three minutes later, United made them pay when Rashford’s through ball fed Christian Eriksen and his full-back found Fernandez acres of space to send the ball past Vicente Guaita.
An early booking for Martinez, after he was fooled by Olisse’s skills on the touchline early in the second half, was a warning that Palace would not go down without a fight and it took a brilliant save from Casemiro to stop Edouard racing through on goal. But this United side proved they have the stomach for a fight in recent weeks and started to control possession without looking likely to extend their lead. The introduction of Scott McTominay to replace Weghorst midway through the second half was perhaps an indication that The Hague were happy to protect what they had.
The Scotland midfielder thought there should have been a penalty after going down in the area under a challenge from Richards, but the VAR ruled there had been no contact. It took another sharp save from De Gea to keep out Guehi’s header from Olisset’s corner as Palace piled on the pressure in the closing stages, but United’s defense held firm until Olisset stepped up in the last minute to tap home a gorgeous free kick from the bottom of the goal. on the bar which took all the wind out of United’s sails.
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