Manchester pressed but didn't impress: Fred the unlikely scorer against Palace

With today’s minimal win, Manchester United achieved three things: they recorded much needed three points against a tricky Crystal Palace, they finally defeated the Eagles after two league matches and they also managed a clean sheet after 15 consecutive home games where they conceded at least one goal: Manchester United – Crystal Palace 1-0. It was a hard earned victory in an otherwise not so interesting match, in which the Red Devils applied that famous Rangnick pressure, but almost failed to win, if it wasn’t for the Brazilian’s powerfull volley. Crystal Palace tried to use that high pressure and score from counter attack, but they didn’t have so many of them and they didn’t used them. They should have scored from the best chance of the whole match, but Ayew missed something that even kids on the school field don’t miss. As a result, they leave Old Trafford without any points.

First half was interesting only because everybody wanted to see Manchester doing gengenpress under Rangnick. And they did. Off course, it’s only the beginning and it will take time and practice, but for the first 10 minutes, Palace couldn’t get out of their half. They have been suffocated by the home team, but after a while, the Eagles broke twice and had counterattacks, which unfortunately for them weren’t turned into goals. Overall, United had two shots on target in the first 45 minutes, but both shots by Ronaldo were saved by Guaita. Full-backs Telles and Dalot were playing visibly high on the flanks, which allowed United to outnumber Palace when attacking.

Second half started more or less the same, before Palace Ayew managed to somehow miss from 2 meters. How, even he doesn’t know, but it’s surely a miss of the year so far. And the punishment came two minutes later, in the 77th minute, when Fred, of all people, scored from the edge of the penalty area. It was an assist from Greenwood, who pushed the ball to the Brazilian, and Fred curled a delightful, right-footed effort over Guaita and into the top corner.

PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 15

Saturday

West Ham - Chelsea 3-2 (1-2)

/Lanzini 40, Bowen 56, Masuaku 87 - Silva 28, Mount 44/

Wolverhampton - Liverpool 0-1 (0-0)

/Origi 90+5/

Newcastle - Burnley 1-0 (1-0)

/Wilson 40/

Southampton - Brighton 1-1 (1-0)

/Broja 29, Maupay 90+8/

Watford - Manchester City 1-3 (0-2)

/Hernandez 74 - Sterling 4, Silva 31, 63/

Sunday

Man.Utd. - Crystal Palace 1-0 (0-0)

/Fred 77/

Leeds - Brentford 2-2 (1-0)

/Roberts 27, Bamford 90+5 - Baptiste 54, Canos 61/

Tottenham - Norwich 3-0 (1-0)

/Moura 10, Sanchez 67, Son 77/

19:30: (2.50) Aston Villa (3.35) Leicester (3.05)

Monday

23:00: (3.60) Everton (3.35) Arsenal (2.20)

***odds are subject to change***