Manchester United left Selhurst Park with three precious points on Sunday after clinching a 2-1 win against Crystal Palace.
Throughout the season, Manchester United have made strong starts – a key factor behind their recent improvement in results despite Monday’s setback against Everton. They currently rank third in the Premier League for first-half performances.
After the break, though, the story has usually soured. United sit as low as eighteenth in second-half metrics, frequently fading, faltering, and inviting pressure as matches wear on. Maintaining intensity has become their biggest recurring flaw.
But when the Reds travelled to South London on the weekend, the script was flipped – leaving some unanswered questions.
United’s weak first half an anomaly
At Selhurst Park, United’s normally bright opening dimmed into a hesitant, half-paced spell. Crystal Palace carried an early confidence that nudged the match their way, while the Reds drifted through the half with a tentative tempo that never quite clicked.
Palace never dominated, but they dictated the rhythm more effectively. United’s passing lacked punch, their movement missed its usual sharpness, and the authority that often defines their opening periods was absent.
The hangover from Monday’s loss lingered, when Jean-Philippe Mateta was spot on from the spot, soaring the Eagles into a 1-0 lead.
Still, the game remained within reach. but United couldn’t summon a spark before the break.
United’s second half surge down to shift in intensity
For a side so often undone after half-time, United’s response was surprisingly spirited. They pressed higher, moved the ball quicker, and showed a purpose missing from the first 45 minutes.
Palace’s early energy began to fade as the second half progressed, partly due to the strain of recent European nights. Amorim recognised it, he said: “I could see that Palace were getting tired at the end of the first half and knew they would suffer if we scored”. Scored they did, and suffer Palace did, as a result.
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Joshua Zirkzee sparked the United comeback when he fired, and finished smartly from a tight angle.
From there, the reds were relentless and Mason Mount who was recalled to the starting eleven, completed the comeback from a clever free-kick routine conducted by the captain, Bruno Fernandes.
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