๐ A brief summary of the game: Man United started on the front foot and didn't get distracted for a second.
The aim was to win and our very first goal sealed our intentions. The second and third goals have sent a strong statement of intent for the defending champions.
The attackers, as well as the defenders - Amrabat and Maguire, in particular - did their jobs well. We got goals when we needed to and this is what happens when you take your chances.
After back-to-back losses, the wins over Burnley and now Palace have come at the right time. As a result, the Red Devils are through to the next round of the Carabao Cup with a much-deserved win.
๐ FULL-TIME!
๐ 80' Man United are able to keep Palace looking subdued as the defending champions begin 2023/24 in style.
๐ฌ AbbyMufc1334: "What a day for Dan Gore! Makes his debut on his 19th birthday. Happy birthday Dan and welcome to the senior team."
๐SUB: Hojlund replaces Martial.
๐SUB: Donny van de Beek replaces Hannibal.
๐ 68' Onana makes a great save to keep his clean sheet of the night. One his more easier outings for sure.
๐ฌ TheBusbyBabe: "Martial smashes in a nice cross from Casemiro. Really good goal to wrap this one up, and we've still got a full 35 minutes left to vibe."
๐ฌ SimonPeach: "Dan Gore makes his MUFC debut in place of Sofyan Amrabat Raphael Varane is replaced by Jonny Evans, who made his debut in this competition 16 years ago today."
๐SUB: Jonny Evans and Dan Gore replace Varane and Amrabat.
โฝ GOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!!! Martial is back after being invisible in the first half.
๐ 50' Great run from Lindelof to dart into Palace's box, we don't see that energy from him often.
๐SUB: Lindelof replaces Mount.
๐ 45' Second half resumes at Old Trafford.
Man United players rated in first half vs Palace
Good: Garnacho - 7, Mejbri - 7, Pellistri - 6.5, Mount - 10, Casemiro - 9, Amrabat - 8, Maguire - 7, Varane - 7, Dalot - 9.
Average: Martial - 4, Onana - 6 (hardly tested).
โซHALF-TIME!
๐ 43' Palace have not threatened so far and Man United look like they have the game by the horns.
๐ 34' Amrabat at right-back sounded concerning at first but he's defended well so far. He did well to recover the ball after Maguire was beaten to it by a Palace forward.
๐ฌ AbsoluteBruno: "Havertz hitting 007 and Mason Mount bagging an assist on his first game back from injuryโฆ Football Heritage."
๐ฌ UtdDistrict: "WE SCORED A CORNER."
๐ 29' Mount is already a star performer in this game, he's created at least four chances within the opening 30 minutes.
โฝGOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!!!!!!!!! Assisted by Mount, Casemiro finds the back of the net with a header.
๐ 25' Great effort on goal from Pellistri but Palace make a last-gasp tackle to thwart danger.
๐ฌ LaurieWhitwell: "Lovely goal. The kind Ten Hag has been striving for: crossfield pass, underlapping full-back, cut back ball, players in the box. Good contributions by Mount, Pellistri + especially Dalot. Tidy finish Garnacho."
๐ฌ UnitedPeoplesTV: "This is what United have struggled to do so often. Just control a game, pass it round, keep it moving and then punish the opposition when we create a chance. Opening 20 mins gone textbook. Now, Palace have to come out...spaces in behind, balls over the top available. Game on."
โฝGOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!! Lovely work from Pellistri and Dalot leads to a great Garnacho strike from close-range.
๐ 16' Amrabat has excelled in his new role, a great tactical switch by Ten Hag. Meanwhile, Henderson appears to have gone down with an injury.
๐ฌ TheBusbyBabe: "Amrabat tries a more direct approach with United retaining possession, but the shot sails high and wide."
๐ฌ jamesrobson: "Maguire playing on the left. Ten Hag doesn't usually like him there."
๐ฌ UnitedPeoplesTV: "Amrabat with a few lovely diagonals so far. It's been a good while."
๐ 8' Maguire doing well to keep danger from the opponents at bay. So far, the Red Devils have enjoyed most of the possession till now.
๐ 0' Things are underway at Old Trafford.
๐ AAND WE KICK-OFF!
๐ฃ๏ธ The boss explains his selection
Erik ten Hag: "We've got too many games and it's always about that. We need to look at freshness, to manage the load of the players and it's about winning this game.
"They [Harry Maguire and Mason Mount] need the minutes. They were injured, but they're now returning, so it's important for the team they're returning because many games are coming up and we need a full squad and also competition.
"We had to be able to make choices from a tactical perspective. [Sofyan] Amrabat is a midfielder, but he's previously played as a full-back a while ago. At Fiorentina, he was really settled, for Morocco, he was the big man at the World Cup.
"He was one of the best players at the World Cup in the position as a holding midfielder, but he can play there [left-back] and he's a warrior, he'll fight for the badge. He's someone who will play where his manager needs him."
๐ A look at how our opponents will line up
๐ Here's how Man United will start the game
๐ Hi Red Devils! Welcome to Tribuna.com's LIVE coverage as Manchester United take on Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford.
