A late Fred goal helped Manchester United continue their recent positive results with a crucial 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
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Ralf Rangnick started his first game in charge of Manchester United with all three points, thanks to a late wonder goal against Crystal Palace. The lively all-action midfielder Fred produced the stunning 78th-minute strike to help United start the new era under the interim manager with a win in the Premier League. After a thrilling midweek win against Arsenal at Old Trafford, the home support was hopeful of another exciting clash under the new manager. United did live up to the expectations in an exciting first half that ensued with 11 shots for Rangnick’s side.
A goal couldn’t be found in the opening 45 minutes despite the team closing down their opponents well and moving the ball forward quickly. In the end, a smart bit of hold-up play from substitute Mason Greenwood and an excellent finish from Fred in the second half gave United the narrow win. The three points have pushed the Reds into sixth in the Premier League table. With the top four spots within striking distance, United will be hoping to maintain the recent positive vibe at Old Trafford.
An afternoon of firsts for Ralf Rangnick!
First game ✔️
First goal ✔️
First win ✔️#MUFC | #MUNCRY pic.twitter.com/WLxItQvSO6— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 5, 2021
Ralf Rangnick’s influence was quickly evident in an energetic first half showing at the Theatre of Dreams. It took only a couple of minutes for the first chance, with Marcus Rashford cutting across James Tomkins in the box and winning a corner. United continued to mount pressure on the visitors with frequent corners in that half.
The intensity of United’s out-of-ball playing method was the most encouraging sign to take from that half. Rather than producing a constant, aggressive pressure, Rangnick’s Reds engaged in regular sudden bursts of intensity against the Palace defence.
It often paid off, with United winning the ball quickly from their opponents. The team led by a two-man attack of Ronaldo and Rashford, supplemented by Sancho and Fernandes behind them, helped maintain the pressure on the visitors. United, however, had nothing to show for all the good work they produced with and without the ball in that period.
Manchester United were not able to continue playing in the same fashion after the break. Palace livened up, enjoying a greater share of possession as they started to create more regular attacks. As the half went on United’s closest attempt of the day arrived with Alex Telles hitting the crossbar through a free-kick from the right edge of the box.
Then Palace came close to taking the lead. Jordan Ayew had a glorious opportunity in the 74th-minute when he found himself unmarked at the right post. The Ghanaian shot with the inside of his right boot but his effort flashed straight across the face of goal. It proved to be a big miss in the context of the game as United made the visitors pay for it.
Substitute Mason Greenwood received the ball just inside the penalty box and impressively kept the ball well before giving it to Fred. The Brazilian struck it with the inside of his right foot, sending it across goal to the top left corner, as Old Trafford erupted in joy. The home side weathered late pressure from Palace to start the new era with three points.
