MANCHESTER UNITED were held at Crystal Palace on a cold Wednesday evening in South London.
Bruno Fernandes’ first-half strike was cancelled out by Michael Olise’s stunning late free-kick.
David De Gea produced a save-of-the-season contender to keep the Eagles at bay in the first half and another strong save in the second, but could do nothing about the free-kick.
While United dominated proceedings in the first half, it was Palace who had the advantage in the second.
Wilfried Zaha in particular caused issues and forced a foul from Casemiro which saw a yellow card issued and will make him miss the weekend clash at Arsenal.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated the Red Devils.
David De Gea – 7
Produced a vital stop just before United’s opener by tipping Odsonne’s Edouard’s effort onto the crossbar.
Absolutely nothing he could do though about Michael Olise’s stunning late free-kick, which crashed in off the bar.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 8
Kept up his renaissance with an impressive display, showing willing running down the right and some assured dribbling.
Almost had an assist when crossing for Luke Shaw and won his battle against old mucker Wilfried Zaha.
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Raphael Varane – 7
His partnership with Lisandro Martinez continues to blossom the more they play together.
Showed good pace to race back when Jean-Philippe Mateta was set to pounce on a loose Martinez header.
Lisandro Martinez – 8
Call him Lisandro Butcher. The World Cup winner had his head bandaged up like old Terry after Edouard’s accidental elbow sent him flying.
Outmuscled Mateta at times, despite their size difference, and often brought the ball out of defence with his neat dribbling.
Luke Shaw – 7
The man Erik ten Hag calls a “leader” of his team had another solid game.
Fired a volley wide, showed bravery in the air and almost created Wout Weghorst’s first United goal when the debutant headed his cross onto the roof of the net.
Casemiro – 7
Tidy performance as ever but a late yellow card for a cynical foul on Zaha means he is suspended for Sunday’s titanic clash with Arsenal.
Will be a huge loss given his impact this season since arriving from Real Madrid.
Christian Eriksen – 8
Remember when Danny Murphy thought Eriksen would merely be a squad player, someone who would not help United get back to competing at the top?
The freebie Dane picked up his seventh Premier League assist of the season – only beaten by Kevin De Bruyne – by teeing up Fernandes.
Antony – 5
Full of running and full of fire, arguing with both opponent Tyrick Mitchell and his own team-mate Fernandes during the first half.
But did not offer a whole lot more apart from a few tame efforts.
Bruno Fernandes – 7
Was having a mixed game with some decent passes, a few slow touches and a mini-row with Antony… and then he scored.
Lovely finish into the far corner for his fifth for United of the season. Should be targeting far more than that from now until May.
Marcus Rashford – 6
The man of the moment but not the man of this match. Rashford’s touch looked assured and was full of positive movement but did not threaten too much here.
Fired a free-kick well wide before the break and smashed over after it.
Wout Weghorst – 6
Did pretty well on debut, offering his side a focal point up top and working hard to win back possession.
The nearest he came to a goal was heading Shaw’s cross onto the roof of the net half an hour into the game.
SUBS:
Scott McTominay (on for Weghorst, 69) – 6
Wanted a penalty when challenged by Chris Richards, but nothing was given.
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Alejandro Garnacho (on for Antony, 70) – 6
You can tell how much confidence this lad has when he’s telling Eriksen where to pass it.
Fred (on for Eriksen, 83) – 6
Brought on to close it out before Palace’s equaliser.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
