Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes scored a penalty before Benjamin Sesko nodded home a free-kick for a 2-1 comeback win over 10-man Crystal Palace that lifted the hosts to third in the Premier League on Sunday.
Interim boss Michael Carrick’s unbeaten run since his appointment in mid-January has stretched to seven games, with his side now on 51 points from 28 matches. Palace slipped to 14th place and remained at 35th.
United remain unbeaten since the sacking of Ruben Amorim on January 5 and have moved into third place for the first time since May 2023 after six of their last seven games under Carrick.
“It feels like a big result. We were behind and we had to show some character,” Fernandes told Sky Sports. “We still have a lot of games to go (in the hunt for a top-four finish) and it’s important that we don’t feel we’re in the position we need to be. We have to get as many points as possible.”
The first 30 minutes were dominated by Oliver Glasner’s Palace, aided by United’s poor passing and pedestrian pace.
The home side were slumbering when Palace struck after four minutes, Maxence Lacroix curling around Leny Yor to head home from a corner. It was the first goal United had conceded all season.
Daniel Munoz had a chance to make it 2-0 for the visitors when he ran onto Ismail Sarr’s pass but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
When United finally came through, Cesko’s header from a Fernandes cross late in the first half forced a save from goalkeeper Dean Henderson. The goalkeeper also jumped over the bar for Fernandes’ free-kick shortly afterwards.
THE COMBINED COMEBACK
United improved after the break and in the 57th minute Fernandes equalized from the spot, sending Henderson the wrong way after Matheus Cunha was brought down by Lacroix. The defender received a red card after a long VAR review.
Eight minutes later, Sesko completed the turnarounddiving header to Fernandes’ free-kick.
Carrick’s side had plenty of chances to add to their lead, including a volley from Casemiro that forced a diving save from Henderson.
Amad Diallo forced another save with a long-range shot in stoppage time, while substitute Joshua Zirkzee had several chances blocked and Kobbie Mainoo fired a rocket that flew wide of the post.
“The biggest thing we can take from the game is it’s really the first time we’ve been in that situation at half-time,” Carrick said.
“I thought we were a little off to start with … being in that position and how we respond and show that personality and belief, you’re never going to have it your way, but to come back second is the biggest thing for me today.”
Palace pressed in the final minutes but United held firm to secure victory.
“I feel like more was possible today,” Glasner said. “Great first 30 minutes, I think it got a little too passive at the end of the first half.
“Then the red card changed completely again … and then the crowd is back and it’s on a good run. The second goal came too quickly.”
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
02 Mar 2026 01:49 IST
