Manchester United extended their unbeaten run to a remarkable ten games with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday, March 1, 2026. The win not only propelled the Red Devils above Aston Villa into third place in the Premier League standings, but also showcased the growing confidence and resilience under interim manager Michael Carrick. With the Champions League places up for grabs, Carrick’s side delivered a stirring comeback against a Palace team that arrived with momentum from recent European exploits and a renewed sense of purpose.
The match kicked off at 2 p.m. GMT (9 a.m. ET) with both teams fielding lineups shaped by injuries and tactical decisions. Manchester United started Lammens in goal, with Dalot, Maguire, Yoro, and Shaw forming the back line. Casemiro and Mainoo anchored the midfield, while Fernandes, Mbeumo, Cunha, and the in-form Benjamin Sesko led the attack. Crystal Palace responded with Henderson between the posts, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Canvot, and Mitchell in defense, a midfield trio of Wharton, Kamada, and Sarr, and Johnson and Strand Larsen up front.
Palace, despite their midweek Conference League exertions, began with intent and stunned the home crowd just four minutes in. Maxence Lacroix, rising highest from a well-delivered corner, powered a header past Lammens to give the visitors a shock lead. It was the earliest goal United had conceded all season, and for a spell, Palace looked set to claim a third consecutive win at Old Trafford. Midfielder Adam Wharton, a target of United for the upcoming transfer window, was particularly impressive, dictating play and winning key duels against Kobbie Mainoo—another England midfield prospect on display.
United, however, gradually wrestled control of the match. Fernandes and Mainoo began to find pockets of space, and the hosts’ pressure mounted as the half wore on. Yet, Palace’s organization and Dean Henderson’s sharp goalkeeping—he has three clean sheets in four games against his former club—kept the Red Devils at bay. The first half ended with Palace holding their slender advantage, and United fans growing restless, not least due to a visible banner referencing minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s controversial immigration comments, a reminder that all is not harmonious off the pitch.
The second half began with a blow for United as Luke Shaw was forced off with an injury just 24 minutes in, casting doubt on his availability for Wednesday’s critical clash with Newcastle. Despite the setback, Carrick’s men pressed on, searching for a breakthrough. The turning point arrived in the 57th minute amid controversy and VAR drama. Matheus Cunha, driving into the box, was grabbed by Lacroix just outside the area, but the Palace defender failed to let go as Cunha entered the penalty zone. The Brazilian went down, and after a VAR review, referee Chris Kavanagh stood by his initial decision: penalty to United and a red card for Lacroix, as he had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner was visibly incensed on the touchline, later stating, "The foul starts outside the box," a sentiment echoed by many Palace supporters. Nevertheless, Bruno Fernandes stepped up and coolly slotted the spot-kick past Henderson to level the score. The momentum had shifted, and United wasted little time capitalizing. Just eight minutes later, Fernandes delivered a pinpoint cross, and Benjamin Sesko—rewarded with a start after his recent impact off the bench—rose to head home the winner. It marked Sesko’s third consecutive game with a goal, taking his tally to seven in his last eight matches. His emergence as a physical presence up front has given United a new dimension, particularly in breaking down teams who defend deep.
"Sesko is playing with great confidence and belief," Carrick told reporters after the match, highlighting the striker’s transformation from a slow start to a decisive force. Indeed, Sesko’s last four goals have earned United seven crucial points, potentially the difference in the race for Champions League qualification. His partnership with Cunha and Mbeumo has taken pressure off United’s creative midfielders, allowing the team to be more direct and dangerous on set pieces—a key factor against Palace’s low block.
Palace, reduced to ten men, showed admirable resolve but were largely kept at bay by United’s defense. Henderson produced two outstanding saves, first denying Casemiro with a reflex stop and later thwarting substitute Amad Diallo’s curling effort. Despite a spirited late push, Palace could not find an equalizer. The defeat leaves them 14th in the table, ten points clear of the relegation zone, but with a daunting run of fixtures ahead—including matches against Spurs and Manchester City. With manager Glasner set to depart in the summer and internal tensions still simmering, the Eagles may turn their focus to the Conference League as their best hope for silverware and European qualification.
For United, the victory was significant beyond the three points. It marked their first league double over Palace since the 2017-18 season and continued an unbeaten Premier League streak dating back to Boxing Day—no other team has matched their 22 points in this period. Carrick’s record now stands at six wins and a draw from seven games, and the Red Devils’ home form has been transformed: 27 points from their last 12 home matches, a dramatic turnaround from previous campaigns.
The match also provided a glimpse of the future in midfield, with Wharton and Mainoo both touted as potential England stars. Wharton, a deep-lying playmaker, and Mainoo, a dynamic box-to-box engine, could soon find themselves not just rivals but teammates at club or international level. Their duel at Old Trafford was a highlight for neutrals and scouts alike.
As the final whistle blew, United’s players and fans celebrated another step toward Champions League football, even as off-field issues lingered in the background. The next test comes quickly, with a trip to Newcastle on Wednesday, while Palace look to regroup ahead of their Thursday night showdown against Tottenham. With the Premier League run-in heating up and European ambitions on the line, both clubs know there’s still everything to play for.
For Carrick and United, the momentum is undeniable. For Palace, the challenge is to regroup, refocus, and perhaps find redemption on the continental stage. Old Trafford, once again, proved a fortress—and on this occasion, the Theatre of Dreams belonged to the Red Devils.