United 2 Palace 1
Prior to kick-off there were poignant scenes around Old Trafford as the club marked our closest home match to the 65th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster. Flags at the ground were flying at half-mast as the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy watched both Erik ten Hag and Patrick Viera lay floral tributes, before the entire stadium observed a minute's silence.
The manager had called on the players to draw inspiration from the Busby Babes and a fast-starting United netted our quickest Premier League goal of the season. It came in dramatic circumstances when Marcus Rashford’s cross hit the raised arm of Will Hughes in the penalty area.
Referee Andre Marriner initially waved away the protests from the Reds, but following a lengthy VAR check he was encouraged to view the pitch-side monitor and after doing so he amended his decision. Stepping up to take the spot-kick, Bruno Fernandes coolly sent Palace keeper Vicente Guaita the wrong way, striking the ball into the bottom left corner.
It was a first 45 dominated by the Reds and the lead might have been doubled when Wout Weghorst flicked a looping header towards the back post, but Guaita flung himself across goal to turn it away. Despite the commanding position, United weren’t able to add to the scoresheet before the interval and a Jeffrey Schlupp effort provided a warning of what can happen when a second goal isn't found - as we learned to our cost in the reverse fixture. On this occasion, David De Gea was able to keep out the attempt.
