Manchester United beat Crystal Palace 4-0 in the Premier League at Old Trafford, the seventh defeat in a row, in the league, for the London club, who have failed to score in each match they have played. United took the lead inside three minutes with Juan Mata finding first blood, assisted by Marcus Rashford. Marouane Fellaini doubled United’s lead in the 35th minute, Ashley Young getting the assist with the Belgian midfielder putting United three goals to the good in the 49th minute. It was a match for Palace to forget, unable to get any good chances to punish United, them in full receivership of the punishment.
United scored a fourth, as they have continued to do for much of the season, Romelu Lukaku latching onto a precise pass from Anthony Martial, seeing United take all three points easily. Roy Hodgson will be fearing for his job as he has done nothing with this Palace side, although they did beat Bromley in a behind-closed-doors friendly during the week, as United travelled to Moscow in the UEFA Champions League, which shows the distance between the two clubs.
Goals: Juan Mata 3′, Marouane Fellaini 35′, 49′, Romelu Lukaku 86′
Assists: Marcus Rashford 3′ 49′, Ashley Young 35′, Anthony Martial 86′
Manchester United: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Young; Matic, Fellaini; Mata (Herrera 76′), Mkhitaryan (Lingard 66′), Rashford (Martial 72′); Lukaku
Substitutes Not Used: Romero; Bailly, Blind, Darmian
Manchester United
1 David De Gea
The Spanish number one had little to do against Palace. His save from Sakho showed his class. A boring match for De Gea but his 102nd clean sheet as United match a record from years gone by for their start in the league, keeping six clean sheets in seven matches.
25 Antonio Valencia
Valencia played well, pushed forward for a lot of the match, not actually tested defensively. His link up with Rashford was great to see.
12 Chris Smalling
Smalling was strong in the air, as would be expected and did well, not really tested in his first Premier League start of the season.
4 Phil Jones
Jones impressed again. It was stated by Mourinho that he would miss this match but was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI. Commanded his area, not that United were tested.
18 Ashley Young
Solid in defence and was a threat going forward on the left flank. Got the assist for Fellaini's first. Could give Luke Shaw a problem to take his position back.
31 Nemanja Matic
The Serbian was a little sloppy at times, but regained his composure and did what he needed to do. United would be lost without him.
27 Marouane Fellaini
The Man of the Match for me. Fellaini is like Marmite - you love him or you hate him. Today, the Belgian showed how much Mourinho has changed him. He is now a player who serves a purpose for United. Two goals today show that.
8 Juan Mata
The Spaniard scored the opening goal of the match, assisted by Rashford. Solid with the ball, maintained possession with his passes. His experience is key this season.
22 Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Mkhitaryan played well against Palace, continuing the form he had shown in Moscow earlier in the week. His clever movement made sure Palace would not rest and it never let them settle either.
10 Marcus Rashford
His assist for Mata's opener was special. He was a threat on the left, his link up play with Valencia was special. Got a second assist but could not get a goal.
Romelu Lukaku
Got his eleventh goal in ten matches, ensuring that he has scored in every match for club and country since the last international break.. Worked hard, made penetrating runs, unlucky not to score until the 86th minute.
Substitutes
14 Jesse Lingard
Replaced Mkhitaryan. Was almost part of something near enough as soon as he came on. Helped United to push forward, but also saw United relax and take on the pressure from Palace late on.
9 Anthony Martial
Replaced Rashford. His 100th appearance for United. Tried to score, but Hennessey stopped that. Got an assist for Lukaku's 86th minute goal. Another good performance from the in-form Frenchman.
21 Ander Herrera
Replaced Mata. Came on to change the flow and keep United moving. Did what he needed to do in his 14 minute cameo.
