Manchester United are into the next round of the Carabao Cup after a comfortable win over Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.
Here is a look at nine things we learned from the game…
Manchester United’s best performance of the season
Look there hasn’t been much competition in this category, but this was easily Manchester United’s best performance of the 2023/24 season so far.
United and Palace both made seven changes and the Red Devils were on top from the first minute, scoring twice in the first half.
In terms of a confidence booster, and laying down a marker for the weekend’s Premier League game against the same opponents, it was the perfect result, and suddenly there are positive vibes around Old Trafford again.
Alejandro Garnacho seizes chance
Alejandro Garnacho‘s challenge heading into this season was to establish himself as a starter, rather than just an impact player. He started the first two games and didn’t make an impact, and returned to the bench. In recent games, sub appearances even dried up.
A start in this game was most welcome for him and he seized his opportunity, scoring in the 20th minute after a low cross from Diogo Dalot.
Garnacho had to take his opportunity tonight and he certainly did. It was exactly what Erik ten Hag wanted to see.
Sofyan Amrabat answers SOS
Manchester United had a problem at left-back. Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are out injured, with Sergio Reguilon signed on loan. Now he is out injured.
Sofyan Amrabat stepped into the role on his first start, which wasn’t the one Manchester United signed him for, but ‘needs must’.
His competitiveness was evident from the first minute, at one stage he charged across to the right flank to make a tackle, and drifted into midfield frequently. It was great to see him in action.
In the second half Amrabat returned to his preferred central role, with Victor Lindelof coming on at left-back.
Amrabat was everywhere and looks to be a total class act. He will add a lot to this side, it was certainly an eye-catching performance in defence and attack in the 60 minutes he played.
Dean Henderson doesn’t last
Manchester United sold Dean Henderson to Crystal Palace for a fee of around £20 million in the summer. He made his debut for the Eagles tonight,
United fans expected an inevitable masterclass from the former academy star. Sadly for Henderson, his night ended before he even had to make a save, when he appeared to injure a muscle playing a long kick upfield, and had to be substituted after just 18 minutes.
He looked miserable as his night ended early, and was replaced by another Manchester United graduate, former FA Youth Cup winner Sam Johnstone.
Mason Mount assist already
There will be no ‘007’ memes mocking Mason Mount after the midfielder provided an assist on just his third game for the club.
Mount’s former Chelsea teammate Kai Havertz was poked fun at on social media after ‘no goals, no assists, seven games’ statistics, mirroring Jadon Sancho’s Manchester United start in 2021. Chelsea fans had been waiting on Mount to fail too.
He won’t. He sent in a superb corner kick in the 27th minute which Casemiro headed straight in for his fourth goal of the season. Mount is a real specialist with set piece deliveries and Manchester United can hope to see more of this.
Don’t forget Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial scored his first goal since April with an early second half strike. He drifted in at the back post to meet a cross from Casemiro to make it 3-0.
Martial has been written off by most, and it’s unclear if he will make it to next season, with his contract winding down.
However, in the short-term, he’s the best back-up to Rasmus Hojlund available. The 20-year-old Dane can’t start every game, and Martial will have to contribute.
If he’s scoring, he’s contributing, you can’t argue with his performance tonight. More of the same please.
Dan Gore makes his debut
Erik ten Hag doesn’t give debuts to young players for the sake of it. He will only call them up if he believes they are good enough, and that is testament to how Dan Gore has impressed in recent weeks.
Dan Gore was a second half substitute, coming on for Sofyan Amrabat with half an hour to go. The circumstances were ideal, with the Red Devils 3-0 up at home.
Gore wasn’t overawed at all. His first contribution was to beat a man and try and thread a through ball to the strikers. On the day he celebrated his 19th birthday, Gore’s debut was one to remember.
Donny van de Beek even makes an appearance
Donny van de Beek looked destined to leave Manchester United this summer, but could not secure a move.
This was the first time he has made a matchday squad this season. He isn’t even registered for the Champions League.
He was a second half substitute, coming on for the final 20 minutes, replacing Hannibal, who has since overtaken him in the pecking order.
It was strange to see him get minutes, and perhaps he will contribute this season after all.
Harry Maguire solid at the back
This was Harry Maguire‘s first Manchester United start of the season, and saw him return from a brief injury which kept him out of the last two matchday squads.
He coped really well, making a crucial intervention in the opening minutes to cut out a low cross which looked set to leave Jean-Philippe Mateta with a tap in.
He was solid all night and this was the type of confidence booster he needed after a rough few months, amid transfer speculation and even an own goal for England. That’s all behind him now, he has a job to do for Manchester United, and tonight, he did it well.
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