Ruben Amorim’s side are up to seventh in the Premier League after the came from a goal down to earn a crucial 2-1 win against a top Crystal Palace side at Selhrust Park on Sunday (November 30).
Young centre-back Leny Yoro caught Jean-Philippe Mateta with a lazy challenge, handing his countryman the perfect chance to put Palace ahead from the penalty spot. After his first effort was ruled out for striking the ball twice, Mateta made no mistake with the retake.
Joshua Zirkzee then gave United fans a reason to keep the faith in him and the game with a beautifully taken goal, touching it down with his chest before finishing from a seemingly impossible angle.
Not long after, Mason Mount scored the winner for United, and the travelling fans made the short journey home happy. So, here are three things we learned from the game.
Oliver Glasner was right about Palace’s recruitment
The Austrian was unhappy with the lack of summer investment at the time, but now, heading into a hectic festive period with European games to compete in too, Glasner called the Palace board out yet again after the defeat.
Palace played Strasbourg in the Europa Conference League on Thursday and made just three changed to his starting line-up against United. By the end of the game, it was clear his players were exhausted.
There is still so much football to be played, and December won’t be kind to them. Under Glasner, Palace have never had it so good, he won their first ever trophy last season, so the board need to step it up in January, or face losing him when his contract expires next summer.
Mason Mount is back!
This is a big moment for Mount, not only did he score the winner, but the game against Palace marked the first time he played a full 90 minutes since January 2023, when he was still at Chelsea. Coincidently, that game was also against Palace.
Man United are going to be without some key players due to AFCON, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui are all likely to head to the tournament when it kicks-off December 21st, leaving huge voids to fill, particularly further up the pitch.
A fit Mount is a huge asset to any side. His work rate has made him a favourite for every manager he’s worked up, and Amorim is no different. Not only does he put in 100% effort every time he steps out on to the pitch, but his versatility will also be crucial heading into December.
No Benjamin Sesko, no problem?
This may well have been Zirkzee’s best performance in a Man United shirt. He was terrible against Everton, but then again, he wasn’t the only one. Coming back and playing the way he did here may have just saved his career at the club.
His goal was something no one who’s watched over the past 18-months would have expected, and with it should come a huge boost of confidence with Sesko still sidelined due to injury for the next couple of games at least.
Sesko will likely walk back into the starting eleven once he returns, but a confident Zirkzee could push him all the way, and should the giant Slovenian hit a rough patch of form, the Dutchman will be there waiting to take his chance… if he doesn’t leave in January, of course.