50 PL opponents: Crystal Palace to Fulham

To mark Manchester United facing a 50th different club in the Premier League, following Luton Town's promotion, we're recalling our record against each one and showing the highlights from some classic meetings.

CRYSTAL PALACE

Palace’s status in the Premier League was uncertain - punctuated by relegations - until the 2013/2014 campaign. Since then, Selhurst Park has been a regular stop among the away grounds we visit, throwing up a few classics.

Classic match: Palace 2 United 3 (2017/2018)
Of our trips to Selhurst Park, one encounter in particular comes to mind - an evening kick-off in March 2018. Andros Townsend and Patrick van Aanholt's strikes either side of half-time left the Reds 2-0 down with a big job to do in the second 45. Chris Smalling pulled us back into it before Romelu Lukaku’s 76th-minute goal levelled the score. It was Nemanja Matic, with his first goal for the club, who struck in stoppage-time to complete the comeback with a magnificent strike on the half-volley, leading to unforgettable scenes with the away end. 

Premier League record
Matches played: 28
United wins: 19
Draws: 6
Palace wins: 3
United goals: 48
Palace goals: 16
Top scorer: Romelu Lukaku (4)

DERBY COUNTY

Derby were a regular fixture in the Premier League from 1996 until 2002 when they were relegated. They enjoyed a brief return to the top flight after gaining promotion in 2007 but lasted just one season before an immediate relegation back down to the Championship in 2008. The Reds have won the majority of our meetings, losing only two in 14.

Classic match: United 5 Derby 0 (2001/2002)
Our biggest Premier League win over the Rams came just before Christmas in 2001, when we scored five goals at home without reply. Solskjaer was quick off the mark with an excellent sixth-minute opener, with Roy Keane doubling our tally minutes later. Ole completed his brace just before the hour mark, followed by Ruud van Nistelrooy’s strike. The fifth and final goal of the game came from Paul Scholes, finishing things off at the Stretford End. 

Premier League record
Matches played: 14
United wins: 8
Draws: 4
Derby wins: 2 
United goals: 29
Derby goals: 13
Top scorer: Dwight Yorke (5)

EVERTON 

The Toffees have been a mainstay in the Premier League since its inception, so there have been the maximum 62 matches between United and Everton in the competition so far. There have been plenty of high-scoring affairs between the two, including one at home in our 1999/2000 campaign when, after going behind, the Reds fired back through a Denis Irwin penalty. However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stole the show by scoring four goals in an eventual 5-1 win. 

Classic match: Everton 3 United 4 (2003/2004)
Our pick for a classic encounter came three seasons later with a trip to Goodison Park. When a Louis Saha double and Ruud van Nistelrooy strike put us three goals to the good in half an hour, it seemed like business as usual for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men. However, the hosts responded soon after the interval through David Unsworth, before a quick double courtesy of Kevin Kilbane and an own goal looked to have completed a remarkable comeback. In true United fashion though, a last-minute winner from Ruud saw us restore our lead and snatch maximum points at the death. 

Premier League record
Matches played: 62
United wins: 39
Draws: 13
Everton wins: 10
United goals: 113
Everton goals: 60
Top scorer: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (7)

FULHAM 

In 32 Premier League clashes with the Cottagers, United have the upper hand with 23 wins. The London-based outfit have beaten us just three times, with six draws played out. Generally speaking, the games have been closely contested over the years but when that hasn’t been the case, the Reds have run rampant with victory margins of three goals or more. 

Classic match: United 3 Fulham 2 (2000/2001)
There’s no denying that comebacks make for some of the most enthralling games and one against the Cottagers springs to mind. In an unforgettable encounter, future Reds striker Louis Saha took just four minutes to get on the scoresheet for Fulham before a sublime David Beckham free-kick levelled things. Saha showed the kind of goalscoring prowess that lead him to United when he restored the visitors' lead after the interval. Van Nistelrooy made himself an instant hero with the home supporters with a quick brace to put the Reds ahead for the first time, and help us to an eventual win, in his first league game for the club.

Premier League record
Matches played: 32
United wins: 23
Draws: 6
Fulham wins: 3
United goals: 72
Fulham goals: 33
Top scorer: Wayne Rooney (10)