Penalty drama and a red card spark United revival against 10-man Palace

Manchester United overturned an early deficit to defeat Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, seizing control after a red card changed the course of a fractious encounter and extending Benjamin Sesko’s remarkable scoring streak.

The afternoon carried tension even before the match fully ignited. As the second half began, supporters in the Stretford End unveiled a banner reading: “MUFC proudly colonised by immigrants.” The message appeared aimed at co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe following previous remarks about immigration, comments for which he later apologised.

On the pitch, United needed a response of their own. They had started poorly and fell behind after just four minutes. Brennan Johnson curled a corner into the area, Leny Yoro lost track of Maxence Lacroix, and the Palace defender rose to head across goal and beyond Senne Lammens via the right post.

It marked the earliest goal Manchester United has conceded under Michael Carrick this season. Palace sensed vulnerability. Daniel Muñoz surged forward soon after and slipped the ball to Ismaïla Sarr, whose powerful strike forced Lammens into a sharp save.

Oliver Glasner’s side pressed cleverly along the flanks, exploiting space behind Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot. United’s reshuffled attack, with Sesko leading the line due to his prolific form, struggled to impose itself. Shaw departed after 23 minutes feeling unwell, and later Harry Maguire also exited, compounding United’s disjointed display.

Yet everything shifted 11 minutes into the second half.

Lacroix tangled with Matheus Cunha as the forward burst towards goal. Referee Chris Kavanagh reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor and determined that, although the contact began outside the penalty area, it continued inside. He awarded a penalty and dismissed Lacroix.

Bruno Fernandes stepped up to face his former teammate Dean Henderson. The Palace goalkeeper guessed incorrectly as Fernandes calmly slotted the ball to his left.

“I worked with him,” Fernandes said afterwards. “He even told me at the end that he wanted to go to the same side as he did last week and save it. Lucky, he went to the other side.”

Glasner contested the decision, insisting the foul began outside the area. He described the moment as decisive, particularly as his team had led 1-0 at the time. “It is decisive when you are 1-0 up and then concede a penalty and then have one player less,” he said, adding that Palace created several promising situations despite their disadvantage.

United, however, seized momentum without hesitation.

A weak Palace clearance dropped to Fernandes on the right. He delivered a precise cross into the area. Sesko attacked it with conviction, outmuscling Jaydee Canvot and powering a header beyond Henderson’s reach.

It was the Slovenian striker’s ninth goal for Manchester United and his seventh in eight appearances. His form has reshaped Carrick’s side. When Sesko left the field in the 72nd minute, replaced by Amad Diallo, the Old Trafford crowd rose to applaud him.

From that point, United swarmed forward. Fernandes dictated play with growing authority. Henderson tipped over a dipping free-kick from the captain. Casemiro headed another opportunity wide. Diallo later forced Henderson into a full-stretch save with a sharp swivel and shot.

United closed out the match with confidence. The victory lifts them to third in the Premier League on goal difference after collecting 19 points from a possible 21 under Carrick. Following last season’s 15th-place finish, the resurgence has been stark.

“It doesn’t mean an awful lot at the moment,” Carrick said of their position. “We want to keep progressing.”

For Palace, the afternoon unravelled in a matter of minutes. For United, it reinforced belief and confirmed that when opportunity arrives, they now take it.