(Football news) A commanding Red Devils team took the lead after only 30 minutes with to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Casemiro. Erik ten Hag’s team then secured their berth in Wednesday night’s fourth-round draw with a goal from Anthony Martial 10 minutes into the second half.

In addition to bringing in players like Harry Maguire, Mason Mount, Facundo Pellistri, and Hannibal Mejbri to the starting lineup, Ten Hag made seven changes to the team that defeated Burnley 1-0 in the Premier League last weekend. Sofyan Amrabat, a summer loan signing, made his debut in an impromptu left-back position.

In addition, Roy Hodgson made seven alterations to the Palace starting lineup from the goalless draw with Fulham the previous time around. Centre-back Rob Holding and goalkeeper Dean Henderson both received their first starts after joining Palace permanently from Manchester United in the summer.

On his return to Old Trafford, Henderson was aiming to make a mark between the pipes. However, the shot-stopper was pulled off the pitch after only 19 seconds due to what appeared to be a muscular injury, and Sam Johnstone, another former Red Devil, was called on to fill the void.

But only a few minutes after joining the field of play, Johnstone was clearing the ball out of the Palace goal after Man United took the lead thanks to a well-executed move that Garnacho finished.

Diogo Dalot was set up by Pellistri on the right side of the field after Mount sent a cross-field pass to him. The Uruguayan then pulled the ball back across the box towards Garnacho, who was able to shoot low and hard from about eight yards out past both Johnstone and Holding in the box.

Seven minutes later, Casemiro met Mount’s outswinging corner and powerfully headed the ball past Johnstone to give Man United a two-goal advantage. This placed the Red Devils in complete control.

Hodgson decided to make a defensive substitution at halftime, replacing youthful winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi with center-back Marc Guehi. Despite Palace failing to get a single shot on goal in the first half.

Man United, on the other hand, made the decision to replace Mount, who began his first game after returning from a hamstring injury, with defender Victor Lindelof, who filled in at left-back to free up Amrabat to play in his preferred midfield position.

Equally as much as they did in the first, the Red Devils controlled the second period, and Martial’s deft close-range goal barely 10 minutes after the restart gave Ten Hag’s team a third.

Before Martial was able to score from a tight angle with a first-time shot after Casemiro scooped up the ball outside the penalty area and delivered a perfectly weighted cross towards the back post, Palace failed to clear their lines.

When Palace took their first attempt at goal in the 67th minute, it was right-back Nathaniel Clyne who made history by sending a long-range effort well over the crossbar. This came shortly after Man United substituted highly-regarded academy graduate Daniel Gore for his senior debut.

However, Andre Onana was put to the test a minute later as Jean-Philippe Mateta’s low-driven shot tested the Man United custodian. Substitute Jonny Evans then came close at the other end with a close-range header.

After Mateta was played through on goal six minutes from time, Onana stopped him again, and after substitute Eberechi Eze dragged the rebound wide of the far post, Johnstone at the other end stood firm to stop two well-placed shots from Lindelof and Garnacho in the waning seconds.

When Man United and Crystal Palace square off in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon at Old Trafford, old friends will be made again.
Also read: Manchester City to play Newcastle in 3rd round