Manchester United opened their 2020/21 Premier League campaign with a disappointing loss, as they fell to a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday at the Old Trafford.
Starting in goal for Manchester United was David de Gea, who appears to still be United’s first-choice keeper ahead of Dean Henderson, who returned from a loan spell at Sheffield United.
Shock inclusion for the Reds was academy graduate Timothy Fosu-Mensah and winger Daniel James, who got the nod ahead of Mason Greenwood. Full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka also started the tie off the bench. New signing Donny van de Beek was also among the match-day squad but would make his debut from the bench.
Palace made one change from the team that beat Southampton last week with Mamadou Sakho replacing the injured Scott Dann.
While Manchester United began the tie on the back-foot, Crystal Palace looked the more composed side, seeking to grab the opener.
In the 6th-minute, there was a goal scare for the Manchester United supporters when De Gea played a wayward pass straight to McArthur just 25 yards away from goal. He, however, got away with it after McArthur’s pass is was by Shaw, preventing a potential early set-back.
Barely one minute later, Crystal Palace got the opener. Mitchell played lofted pass down the left to Schlupp, who, despite under pressure from Lindelof, drove a low cross towards the far post for Townsend to smash home on the blind side of Shaw.
In the second half, Crystal Palace continues to play on the front-foot, besting the Reds all over the pitch.
Manchester United came close to an equalizer when Fosu-Mensah was allowed room to whip in a cross from the far side in the 59th minute. His cross met the head of Mason Greenwood, who was unable to guide his header goal-wards.
The Eagles seemed to have grabbed a second when Zaha smashed his shot past De Gea from close range, however, the flag was raised up for offside.
Crystal Palace finally doubled their lead after the VAR reviewer a handball by Victor Lindelof inside the penalty area.
Jordan Ayew took the penalty and missed, but the VAR reviewer the penalty be retaken after De Gea stepped off his line to stop Ayew’s spot-kick.
Wilfred stepped up for the penalty retake and blasted Crystal Palace into a two-goal lead.
New boy Donny Van De Beek drew one back for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men, as he pounced on a loose ball in the Palace defense ten minutes away from time.
Wilfred Zaha finally put the dagger in the heart of Manchester United as he grabbed his second of the night to give Crystal Palace a 3-1 lead over Manchester United.
