Manchester United got back to winning ways in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace this afternoon.
Here is a look at five things we learned from the game…
Martial out injured again
Anthony Martial made his injury comeback against Nottingham Forest in midweek, scoring the first goal in the 2-0 second leg win.
But he was left out of the matchday squad here, and it seems he has picked up another injury setback.
This continues a season of frustration for Martial and shows why Erik ten Hag brought in Wout Weghorst during the January window.
United make fast start
United were really on it in the first half an hour here, moving the ball around quickly and hunting it down just as rapidly when they lost it.
Bruno Fernandes’ penalty was a deserved reward for that start and United arguably should have gone in at half-time even further in front.
United dropped points in their last two Premier League games – including the return fixture last month – and looked keen to change that here.
Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty ImagesRashford keeps good form rolling
United took their foot off the gas slightly either side of half-time and that may have caused some concern given how we let Palace back into the game at Selhurst Park.
But Marcus Rashford got a much-needed second goal, keeping his incredible form since the World Cup rolling on and on.
He prodded home Luke Shaw’s cross from close range to earn United some breathing space and get back on the scoresheet after two games off it.
Casemiro red card a real blow
At 2-0, United had to see the game out professionally but not long after Rashford’s goal, a scrap broke out down by the corner flag on the right of our attacking half.
Casemiro had his hands around the neck of Will Hughes and was handed a straight red card, meaning he will be out for the next three games.
That, fortunately, means he will not miss the EFL Cup final, which will be his next domestic match and deepens United’s issues in midfield.
Sabitzer makes debut as United see game out
Palace swiftly made it 2-1 after the red card and that set up a nervous end to the game for United, from a previously commanding position.
It was not the easiest time for Marcel Sabitzer to make his United debut but he came on for Antony with ten minutes remaining to help see the game out.
The Austrian showed his physicality and willingness to get stuck in and substitute Alejandro Garnacho was also brought off in the closing stages, which is not a great experience for any footballer, but a decision Ten Hag clearly felt necessary to try and protect the lead.
Casemiro sent off for putting his hands around Will Hughes’ neck in moment of madness
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has been sent off for putting his hands around Crystal Palace midfielder Will Hughes’ neck in a moment of madness.
The Red Devils were in control at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford in either half.
Fernandes converted a penalty in the first half after Hughes handled inside the area before Rashford added a second with his 10th league goal of the season.
United looked comfortable going into the final 20 minutes before a huge melee broke out just off the pitch. Palace winger Jeffrey Schlupp pushed United star Antony into an advertising hoarding, which saw every player get involved.
Schlupp received a booking from referee Andre Marriner which looked to be the end of the story. That is until VAR got involved.
VAR caught Casemiro with his hands wrapped around Hughes as they picked the bones of the encounter. Marriner watched the incident back on the monitor and gave the 30-year-old his marching orders shortly after.
It wasn’t the way Casemiro wanted his first Premier League game back after serving a suspension against Arsenal for accumulating too many yellow cards to go down.
Casemiro will now miss back-to-back games with Leeds United and the visit of Leicester City later this month. His next domestic game will be the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United on February 26.
The Brazil international’s red card changed the complexion of the whole game. Palace got one back minutes later through Schlupp with a fine left-footed finish.
United are currently light in midfield due to injuries to Donny van de Beek, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay. They completed the signing of Marcel Sabitzer on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich on transfer deadline day. Sabitzer made his debut shortly after Casemiro went down the tunnel.
Earlier this week, manager Erik ten Hag addressed fears his side could burn-out given their congested fixture list. United will play two games a week for the rest of this month due to their FA Cup, Europa League and Carabao Cup commitments.
Casemiro walking off the pitch after being sent off. (Image Credit: Alamy)
Ten Hag prefers a smaller squad and gave his reasons in his pre-match press conference.
He said: “It is for every player – and Bruno is also playing every game. But those players are capable of it and that’s why they are so good.
You can always rely on them as a club and that’s why they’ve won so many trophies. When Casemiro was at Real Madrid, I also think he played so many games.”
United held on to win 2-1 and moved up to third in the Premier League ahead of Newcastle, who face West Ham United in the late kick-off.
Source: unitedinfocus.com; sportbible.com
