Man United Vs Crystal Palace: Sesko header earns United a 2-1 comeback at Old Trafford
Man United vs Crystal Palace produced a dramatic turnaround at Old Trafford as Benjamin Sesko’s header completed a 2-1 comeback after Maxence Lacroix had given Palace an early lead and was later sent off; the result lifted United back to third and extended Michael Carrick’s unbeaten start in charge.
Early Palace lead and a Stretford End banner
Palace struck inside the opening minutes when Maxence Lacroix met a Brennan Johnson corner, heading across a crowded six-yard area and beyond Senne Lammens the goalkeeper’s right post to give the visitors the lead. A banner reading “MUFC proudly colonised by immigrants” appeared in the Stretford End during the match, a response linked in the stands to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent comments and his subsequent half-hearted apology.
Turning point: penalty, VAR and a red card
The contest changed early in the second half when referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot after ruling that Lacroix had pulled Matheus Cunha as Cunha entered the box; the decision followed a VAR monitor review and Kavanagh then sent Lacroix off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. Bruno Fernandes converted the penalty, beating Dean Henderson to the left, to level the game and give United the numerical advantage that reshaped the match.
Sesko seals the comeback
Eight minutes after Fernandes’ spot-kick, Bruno Fernandes delivered a cross from the right and Benjamin Sesko rose to head the ball past Henderson for the winner. Sesko had been handed his first start under Michael Carrick, and he was replaced in the 72nd minute by Amad Diallo as the crowd serenaded him when he left the pitch.
Managers and reactions
Palace manager Oliver Glasner called the red card harsh, arguing that the contact started outside the box and saying, “Maybe it's the Old Trafford bonus why the referee decided it was a penalty and red card. ” Bruno Fernandes noted he had worked with Henderson previously and that Henderson had told him where he might dive; Fernandes said Henderson went the other way when he took the spot-kick.
Michael Carrick defended his selection choices, saying, “It wasn’t that big a decision. Benjamin is in a good place and he has had a major impact in recent weeks, ” and he added, “It doesn't mean an awful lot at the moment. We want to keep progressing. ” A former Manchester United striker at the ground described the win as well deserved, noting Palace's strong first 30 minutes and that the sending-off made a huge difference.
Table movement, attendance and immediate consequences
The victory extended United’s unbeaten Premier League run to 11 games and lifted them back to third for the first time since May 2023; one report noted United were third on goal difference after accruing 19 points from 21 under Carrick. Crystal Palace slipped to 15th as Brighton moved above them by beating Nottingham Forest. The match at Old Trafford drew an attendance of 73, 934.
United looked more threatening after the break and completed the turnaround within minutes of equalising; Palace had dominated much of the first half and had chances, with Daniel Muñoz’s raid down the right creating an opportunity that Ismaïla Sarr forced Senne Lammens to parry. Before the penalty, United had not tested Dean Henderson.
The clubs will return to their league schedules with United carrying momentum from the win and Palace regrouping after a game decided by a late swing in officials’ decisions and a set-piece finish.
