Who was our Man of the Match against Crystal Palace?
Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford were our goalscorers in Saturday’s narrow 2-1 win against Crystal Palace as Manchester United secured another crucial three points in dramatic fashion.
After a poignant tribute to the Busby Babes before kick-off, to mark the 65th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster this Monday, Fernandes gave United the perfect start after just seven first-half minutes, with an ice-cool penalty kick beyond goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.
Rashford then doubled our lead just after the hour-mark, but events quickly conspired against the home side, as Casemiro was sent off and Jeffrey Schlupp pulled a goal back within six minutes to leave hearts racing for the final quarter of an hour inside Old Trafford.
But thanks to some resolute defending and key contributions from those coming off the bench, Erik ten Hag’s men were able to hold on for all three points, ensuring plenty in our XI were in contention for our Man of the Match award.
Find out below who came out on top in our poll...
Chants of 'Argentina!' rang out around Old Trafford several times during the contest to recognise Lisandro Martinez’s repeated interventions at the back, and our no.6 was ultimately a deserving winner of the award.
Licha was a composed figure at the back throughout the afternoon, and even in the first half with United in control, the Argentine made some crucial actions at the back.
But it was the unerring calmness shown by the 25-year-old late in the contest, as Palace’s pressure grew stronger with the score at 2-1, that perhaps made him the standout candidate as the Man of the Match this afternoon.
As tensions rose among fans inside the Theatre of Dreams, Martinez remained the coolest man in the stadium to help us over the line, and seamlessly shift to a back five with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof’s introductions from the bench, to secure three points.
Matchday pauses to remember Munich
Wreaths were laid and a minute's silence was held, as the Munich Air Disaster was commemorated before Saturday's game...
The contributions of Fernandes and Rashford at the other end of the pitch proved vital as we held a two-goal lead before Casemiro’s red card, and those were recognised by fans in the voting too.
Rashford, who won the penalty for the opener and netted himself for the second, finished as runner-up in the voting, while another solid midfield display from Fernandes to go with his converted penalty saw him finish third in the poll.
But it was a day where we needed our defenders on top form for such a tense end to the game, and Martinez was able to show exactly that.
Congratulations, Licha!
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