FIRST HALF – FLAT REDS BEHIND
After being turned around to attack the Stretford End, it proved to be a difficult start for United. Jorgen Strand Larsen miscued the opening shot well wide before a poor kick out by Henderson was returned instantly by Fernandes, but only with a weak attempt that rolled to the grateful keeper.
Strand Larsen was in space to try a scorpion kick but, as he missed the ball, it ran for a corner. Brennan Johnson floated it over and Lacroix, who scored in Europe in midweek, evaded Leny Yoro to head in off the far post, to stun Old Trafford.
The fourth-minute goal failed to prove a wake-up call as Ismaila Sarr was only denied a second when Senne Lammens parried shot, and a lack of rhythm in our play was not helped by Luke Shaw failing to shrug off a knock sustained in a challenge by Daniel Munoz.
Noussair Mazraoui replaced Shaw at left-back and our first corner, provided by Bryan Mbeumo on the half-hour mark, was headed goalwards by Harry Maguire but hit Sarr and bounced out.
It was a sign that we could start hunting an equaliser but Mazraoui got in a muddle with Cunha, when, ultimately, having a shot blocked from a pass by Mbeumo. Fernandes then properly worked Henderson for the first time with a free-kick that was tipped over by the flying former Red.
Seconds later, the our skipper was felled by Daichi Kamada, who was already on a booking, and then swung the set-piece in for Casemiro, who nodded a clear opening off target.
Palace comfortably survived three minutes of stoppage time to retain the lead heading into the interval.