Five things we learned from Manchester United 3-1 Crystal Palace

Add as preferred source on Google

Erik ten Hag maintained his 100% percent winning start to life as Manchester United manager as the Reds beat Crystal Palace 3-1.

A clinical finish from Anthony Martial in the first half opened the scoring against Patrick Vieira’s inexperienced Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Following a sweeping move, Marcus Rashford tapped the ball home in he second half after a clever pass from Donny van de Beek.

Minutes later and United’s fluid forward line combined to devastating effect once again with Rashford and Martial linking up before Jadon Sancho got in on the act with a clinical finish.

Here are five things we learned from Manchester United versus Crystal Palace.

Five things we learned from Manchester United 3-1 Crystal Palace

Martial’s renaissance continues

The Frenchman made it three goals in three pre-season games since returning from an underwhelming loan spell from Sevilla.

The former Monaco man, who is set to embark upon his eighth season as a Manchester United player, looks reborn under the Dutchman and is playing with a smile on his face once again.

With Cristiano Ronaldo unlikely to start the opening games of the season due to a lack of match fitness, United’s number nine will likely start the season as Ten Hag’s first choice striker.

Full-backs combine which will delight Ten Hag

With Tyrell Malacia making his first start for the Reds, the former Ajax boss had two attack-minded full-backs in the Feyenoord man and Diogo Dalot playing from the off against the Londoners.

The 52-year-old wants his full-backs to be constant outlets in United’s attacking phases of play and our full-backs played a massive part in our opening goal against the Selhurst Park side.

Malacia found Dalot inside the penalty area with a pinpoint pass with his weaker foot and Dalot then found Martial with his weaker foot which allowed the Frenchman to break the deadlock.

With the Portugal international looking in control of the right-back berth currently, Malacia will offer stern competition to Luke Shaw for the left-back spot.

United’s fluid forward line dazzle in away kit

Crystal Palace couldn’t handle the movement and interchanging of positions from United’s fluid front four.

The understanding and partnership of Bruno Fernandes, Rashford, Sancho and Martial looks to be growing with every passing game.

The quartet clearly enjoy playing together and they ripped the Eagles apart with their willingness to run in-behind and neat one and two-touch passing sequences.

Donning the club’s new away kit for the first time, United’s talented forward line put on a show.

Maguire showcases passing range playing at right centre-back

While being greeted by boos every time he touched the ball, Manchester United’s captain wasn’t deterred by the crowd’s treatment and he produced a solid performance.

Playing on the right with Victor Lindelof on the left, United’s number five was constantly looking to fire the ball out to the left-hand side towards Malacia and Rashford.

The former Leicester City man was regularly finding his teammates and it allowed United to break the press and get on the front foot in decent positions.

Being deployed on the right, it seems Ten Hag is keen to utilise the England international’s distribution from deep.

Malcolm Ebiowei impresses against Manchester United

The former Derby County man was linked with a move to Manchester United this summer, but the winger opted to join Crystal Palace this summer following his departure from the Rams.

Playing on the right, Ebiowei troubled United with his pace and trickery, drifting off the touchline onto his left foot.

He skipped past Fred on a couple of occasions with his neat footwork and caused Malacia problems.

United’s forward line are certainly firing on all cylinders, but judging by his performance against the Reds – it makes sense why we were linked with a move for Ebiowei judging by his eye-catching display.