Manchester United produced their best performance of the season so far as they kick-started their Carabao Cup title defence with a convincing 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Erik ten Hag‘s side made it back-to-back wins for the first time this season as a much-changed United side dominated proceedings at Old Trafford.
First-half strikes from Alejandro Garnacho and Casemiro sent the hosts on their way to the fourth round of the League Cup while Anthony Martial added a third with his first goal of the season.
Harry Maguire celebrated a clean-sheet on his first start of the season as the hosts asserted their control against Roy Hodgson‘s struggling Palace side.
Mail Sport gives their player ratings from United’s Carabao Cup third round victory.
Manchester United produced their best performance of the season so far as they kick-started their Carabao Cup title defence
Erik ten Hag (right) watched on as his side breezed past Roy Hodgson’s (left) Palace side
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-1-4-1)
Andre Onana – 6
Was a total spectator in the first half but stood up tall when he needed to. Excellent stop with his feet to deny Mateta just after the hour mark. David de Gea-esque…
Diogo Dalot – 7.5
Really bright display and got the assist for Garnacho’s goal. A constant menace that caused a major headache for Tyrick Mitchell.
Harry Maguire – 7
Made a crucial clearance to stop a tap-in at the back post for Jean-Philippe Mateta at 0-0. A comfortable display in front of England assistant Steve Holland.
Harry Maguire (right) secured a clean-sheet during his first start of the season for United
Raphael Varane – 6.5
Wearing the captain’s armband with Bruno Fernandes given a rest, he did just fine back in the fold. Will have much tougher tests this season.
Sofyan Amrabat – 8
Made his full debut as one of seven changes made by Erik ten Hag and while he started at left back he seemed to play everywhere but in goal. The type of dominant display that will have tongues wagging all week until these sides meet again at the weekend.
Sofyan Amrabat demonstrated his versatility after starting his Old Trafford debut at left-back
Casemiro – 8.5
Nodded in brilliantly for his fourth goal of the season to double United’s lead and got himself an assist for Anthony Martial’s goal at 3-0. When he’s on song he makes the game look so effortless.
Casemiro was back to his brilliant best as he ran the show in a man of the match display
Facundo Pellistri – 6.5
Not perfect but he’s an old fashioned, direct winger that fans can get behind. Can see flashes that make him worth persisting with on the right as Jadon Sancho continues to sulk away from the first team.
Hannibal Mejbri – 7
Has the energy of a Duracell bunny. Tireless in his running but has to be careful not to pick up cheap cards as he’s risking his minutes. Booked
Mason Mount – 7.5
A fabulous display. This was his breakout moment for Manchester United and the only shame for him was it only lasted 45 minutes. Has to start on Saturday.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6.5
Reacted quicker than anyone else to open the scoring but struggled to build on it. United spent much more time attacking down the right which didn’t help his cause.
Alejandro Garnacho (right) opened the scoring with a well-taken strike from close-range
Garnacho was a constant attacking thorn in Palace’s defence throughout the evening
Anthony Martial – 6.5
Much like his Manchester United career this was a low-key outing for the Frenchman. But he did get a goal and it was the one his manager celebrated most. A needed confidence booster.
Subs:
Victor Lindelof (for Mason Mount, 46) – 6.5
Jonny Evans (for Raphael Varane, 60) – 6
Dan Gore (for Sofyan Amrabat, 60) – 6
Donny van de Beek (for Hannibal Mejbri, 71)
Manager: Erik ten Hag – 8
Made seven changes but was vindicated with some of United’s best football in months. Will have been delighted with Mount and Amrabat’s contributions in particular.
Erik ten Hag got his second consecutive win of the season as United produced another improved performance
CRYSTAL PALACE (4-4-2)
Dean Henderson – 4
Big night making his Palace debut up against his former club but it ended in disaster as he was forced off with a reoccurring right thigh issue 19 minutes in.
Nathanial Clyne – 5.5
Did more to limit Garnacho than Mitchell did on the other side but this was not a night for too much patting on the back if you are a Palace defender.
Rob Holding – 5
Much like Henderson, the centre back got his Palace debut here. His lasted much longer but he struggled. Booked.
Rob Holding (left) made his Palace debut but struggled against United’s free-flowing attack
Chris Richards – 5.5
Huge lunging block to deny Facundo Pellsitri a goal in the six-yard box to make it 2-0. Can only do so much when United’s attackers and midfielders are swarming en masse.
Tyrick Mitchell – 4.5
Run ragged by both Dalot and Pellistri. Will have been glad to get back on the bus home.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi – 4.5
Been crying out for chances after Palace turned down the chance to send him on loan. Got bullied by a supposed out-of-position Amrabat. Subbed.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (right) has been crying out for chances but was bullied by Amrabat (left)
Cheick Doucoure – 5.5
Was the lesser effective of Palace’s two central midfielders. Generated interest in the summer and has bags of talent but this was a night dictated and dominated by United’s midfield trio of Mount, Casemiro and Mejbri.
Jairo Riedewald – 6
Palace’s best player on the night. Actually tried to make things happen when Palace did wrestle the ball back. Big concern when he went off but Palace fans will hope it’s precautionary and not another injury.
Jordan Ayew – 6
Was pushed up top when Eberechi Eze came on but he found himself going back towards his own goal more than rushing towards United’s due to the tireless running of Dalot.
Jordan Ayew (right) ended up doing more defending than he did attacking during the cup clash
Jeffrey Schlupp – 5
Played up top as part of a front two but his influence on the game was next to none.
Jean-Philippe Mateta – 5.5
Had a chance to score in the second half and drew the best save of the night out of Onana from a Palace perspective. Little service didn’t help him.
Subs:
Sam Johnstone (for Dean Henderson, 19) – 5.5
Marc Guehi (for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, 46) – 5
Eberechi Eze (for Jeffrey Schlupp, 59) – 6.5
Will Hughes (for Chiek Doucoure, 59) – 6
Manager: Roy Hodgson – 6
Hodgson’s record in this competition arrived wretched and left a notch worse. In 11 seasons as a Premier League manager overseeing a team in the League Cup, his sides have only gone past the fourth round once, much to the frustration of Palace fans.
Roy Hodgson’s torrid record in the Carabao Cup continued as Palace crashed out
Referee: Michael Salisbury – 7
Neither manager can have too many complaints with Salisbury, who was jeered by supporters when his name was read out. Got his bookings spot on and let the game flow.
