Manchester United cruise passed Crystal Palace

 

The Argentinian winger Garnacho sets Man Utd on the way, Casemiro, Martial also on target

Eric Ten Hag’s demand for consistency in performance and results was heeded as Manchester United secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Alejandro Garnacho, Casemiro and Anthony Martial were all on target as United began their defence of the Carabao Cup with all too comfortable victory over Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag made seven changes from the team that ended a three-match losing run with a 1-0 over Burnley on Saturday and will take plenty of positives from the third round tie.

Harry Maguire made a faultless first appearance of the season, alongside fit-again Raphael Varane – not that he was troubled much by a largely punch-less Palace side..

Sofyan Amrabat made his first start for the club since joining on loan from Fiorentina,- starting in an unfamiliar left back role before switching into midfield for the second half – while fellow summer signing Mason Mount impressed after a five-game injury lay-off and was involved both United’s first half goals before being replaced at the break.

Youngsters Garnacho, Hannibel Mjebri and Facundo Pellestri gave United plenty of energy and pace while the much-maligned Martial showed he still has an eye for goal when given a chance.

Roy Hodgson was unbeaten on his last four visits to Old Trafford – three with Palace and one with Watford – but after making eight changes it never looked likely he would continue that run with his Palace side barely laying a glove on United until late in the game.

Dean Henderson made it clear he felt he should have taken over from David De Gea as United’s No 1 but his hopes of making a point to his old club were cut short after only 19 minutes of his Palace debut when he limped off after injuring a muscle making a clearance kick and had to be replaced by another former United keeper Sam Johnstone.

Johnstone’s first job was to pick the ball out of the back of the net in the 21st minute following a fine move started by Mount’s precision long pass to Pellestri.

The youngster’s deft touch sent Diogo Dalot racing to the bye line before he cut the ball back for Garnacho to score from 10 yards.

Mount claimed a direct assist for United’s second six minutes later when his out-swinging corner was headed home by Casemiro who has proved a real threat from set pieces since his move from Real Madrid and is Ten Hag’s leading scorer this season with four.

Varane’s run to pull defenders out of position was crucial with Casemiro’s timing his run expertly to outjump Jeffrey Schlupp.

It took United only 10 minutes after the break to effectively put the game to bed with another well-worked goal.

Casemiro was being urged by the crowed to shoot but instead swung a superb pass to Martial who scored with a neat half volley from a tight angle at the far post.

Palace didn’t manage an effort on goal until the 68th minute when Amadou Onana stuck out his left foot to make a fine improvised save from Jean-Phillipe Mateta’s shot.

Palace improved after the introduction of Eberechi Eze and Onana denied Mateta again towards the end but it was too little too late.

And United could have had a fourth goal. Jonny Evans, outstanding on his first start since returning to the club at Burnley, came on as a sub and nearly scored with Johnstone somehow keeping out his close range header.

Victor Lindelof and Dan Gore also saw powerful long range shots beaten away by Johnstone as United produced their most convincing win of the season so far.