Carrick's United - immune to defeat: Bruno & Sesko inspire comeback and kill ten-man Palace

It doesn’t matter how you start, but how you finish.

Manchester United experienced this famous saying today and continued Michael Carrick’s unbeaten run on their bench.

The beginning of the game was terrible for the Red Devils, as Maxence Lacroix put Crystal Palace in front just three minutes into the game. United were lackluster and subpar, awaiting the break with a goal behind.

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However, the Frenchman who stunned Old Trafford in the first half rejoiced the crowd at the Theatre of Dreams 12 minutes after the break, conceding a penalty, receiving a direct red card, and thus paving the way for United’s comeback.

Carrick’s men, of course, accepted the gift, Bruno Fernandes sent home the spot kick, and nine minutes later, set up a goal for Benjamin Sesko, as the Slovenian netted in his third consecutive game, won the match for the Red Devils, and moved them to the third Premier League position - 2-1.

Based on the two sides' recent Premier League results, the crowd at Old Trafford must have expected an easy win today. However, just three minutes into the game, the Red Devils got a cold shower, as the visitors broke the deadlock!

Brennan Johnson took a corner kick, and the ball was travelling towards the box for a long time, but it didn't make it easier for the home team to clear. Instead, they left Maxence Lacroix alone on about 10-12 meters from the goal, and the Frenchman terrifically found the bottom-right corner of Senne Lammens' goal, scoring in his second consecutive match after breaking the deadlock against Zrinjski in the Conference League three days ago.

In the 12th minute, Ismaila Sarr tested Lammens with a powerful strike from the edge of the box, but the Belgian reacted well, though the ball went straight at him.

United were pretty uninspired and subpar throughout the opening half, waking up just before the break with three excellent attempts, but none brought the leveller.

In the 38th minute, Benjamin Sesko's header was easily saved by Dean Henderson, United's child in Palace's goal. Four minutes later, the custodian made a superb save, denying Bruno Fernandes' outstanding free kick. Finally, just a minute later, Casemiro's header went narrowly wide of the post.

The Eagles survived the first 45 minutes and defended their lead, while Michael Carrick's headaches weren't even harsher, as he lost Luke Shaw midway through the first half due to an injury.

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Lacroix was the visitors' hero before the break, but shortly after, he doomed them. In the 56th minute, he recklessly tackled Matheus Cunha on the edge of the area, conceding a penalty. VAR intervened and made a drastic decision - the centre-back was sent off as well!

Bruno converted the spot kick, equalizing the score, but 1-1 did not stand too long on the Old Trafford's scoreboard. In the 65th minute, the Portuguese crossed an ideal ball inside, finding the recently unstoppable Sesko, who scored in his third consecutive EPL game, and paved the way for the Red Devils' triumph.

Sixteen minutes before the end, Casemiro could have definitely sealed the deal for the Manchester side, but Henderson pulled off a fantastic point-blank save. Still, it didn't affect United's winning plans much, as they triumphed and leapfrogged Aston Villa in the third league spot.

There is a sense of the Champions League football in the air at Old Trafford!

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 28

Friday

Wolves - Aston Villa 2-0 (0-0)

/Gomes 61, R. Gomez 90+8/

Saturday

Bournemouth - Sunderland 1-1 (0-1)

/Evanilson 63 - Mayenda 18/

Burnley - Brentford 3-4 (1-3)

/Kayode 45+3 (og), Anthony 47, Flemming 60 - Thiago 25, Schade 34, Damsgaard 9, 90+3/

Liverpool - West Ham 5-2 (3-0)

/Ekitike 5, Van Dijk 24, Mac Allister 43, Gakpo 70, Disasi (og) 82 - Soucek 49, Castellanos 75/

Newcastle - Everton 2-3 (1-2)

/Ramsey 32, Murphy 82 - Brantwaithe 18, Beto 34, Barry 83/

Leeds - Manchester City 0-1 (0-1)

/Semenyo 45+2/

Sunday

Brighton - Nottingham Forest 2-1 (2-1)

/Gomez 6, Welbeck 15 - Gibbs-White 13/

Fulham - Tottenham 2-1 (2-0)

/Wilson 7, Iwobi 34 - Richarlison 66/

Manchester United - Crystal Palace 2-1 (0-1)

/Bruno 57 pen, Sesko 65 - Lacroix 3/

19.30: (1.65) Arsenal (4.25) Chelsea (5.30)

***odds are subject to change***