Things we learned from 2-1 win over Palace

Crystal Palace took the lead with four minutes on the clock, Maxence Lacroix adding to his UEFA Conference League goal in midweek to head the visitors in front from Brennan Johnson’s corner.

But the Frenchman turned from hero to villain for the Eagles as he fouled Matheus Cunha while through on goal, with referee Chris Kavanagh producing the red card after a VAR check.

Bruno Fernandes tucked home the penalty before turning provider just minutes later, with Benjamin Sesko continuing his red-hot form with a bullet header for the winner.

Here are five talking points from United’s 2-1 victory at Old Trafford, as the Reds leapfrog Aston Villa with another big three points.

SESKO START JUSTIFIED 

The in-form Slovenian, who boasts the best goals-per-90 minutes ratio in the Premier League this calendar year, had been forced to settle for a substitute spot under Michael Carrick so far. But he more than earned his start on Sunday after late goals against West Ham United and Everton in each of our last two outings. After seeing two headers saved, the 6ft 5in striker didn’t give up, rising highest to brilliantly power home a Fernandes cross and repay his manager's faith.

MORE BRUNO BRILLIANCE 

When the Reds desperately needed some creativity to unlock a stubborn Crystal Palace defence, it was the United captain who stepped up once again. A beautifully threaded through ball sent Cunha in on goal, and the Brazilian was hauled down by Lacroix, who received his marching orders. The magnificent midfielder took on responsibility himself and sent Dean Henderson the wrong way to bring us level. And who else but the Portuguese to provide the assist for United’s second? His cross from deep was perfectly weighted for the free-scoring Sesko. It takes Fernandes’s assist tally for the season to 13 in the Premier League, as he looks the surpass the record of 20; held jointly by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

CUNHA'S DETERMINATION

The one thing you can never doubt about Cunha is his willingness to run. And the summer signing’s dogged determination proved to be the spark that helped United turn this tricky game on its head. After winning the penalty which saw Lacroix sent off, there was a renewed confidence about our no.10, as he constantly looked to threaten both out wide and in more central positions. He also played his part in the second, battling through several challenges in midfield before his bursting run saw the ball fall to Fernandes outside the box, with the captain and Sesko doing the rest.

BIG COMEBACK MENTALITY 

After a surprisingly lacklustre opening 45 minutes, which saw United go behind early, the Reds came out with a big response in the second half to, once again, show  our mettle under Carrick. Having already earned comeback points against Arsenal and West Ham, there was a patience among the Old Trafford crowd that the game could still be salvaged. And United’s own patience paid off when waiting for the VAR decision and Lacroix’s red card, which proved crucial in shifting the momentum and earning the Reds all three points. The home side then saw out the game with the minimum of fuss, showing more defensive resolution, following the clean sheet last time out.

As always, the most important thing was for United to get three points, especially after Aston Villa’s slip-up at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday evening. Carrick’s side are the most in-form side in the division, with no league defeat since 21 December, against the Midlanders. The Reds will be looking to continue that red-hot run of 11 games in the division unbeaten, when we travel to Newcastle United on Wednesday for a 20:15 GMT kick-off. Only Serie A side Inter have a longer current record without a loss across the top European leagues.