VIDEO: Manchester United 1 – 0 Crystal Palace Premier League Highlights | DOWNLOAD
Juan Mata came off the bench to secure Manchester United’s first win in four Premier League matches with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace. As in last weekend’s loss to rivals Manchester City, tne Spain international began among the substitutes – but he emerged to stake his claim to be given a bigger role going forward by manager Louis van Gaal by firing a deflected winner in the 67th minute – five after joining the action.
Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni might have done better than palming Mata’s strike into his own net and Neil Warnock’s men were also left to reflect on a glorious chance passed up by former United youngster Fraizer Campbell before half-time. Marouane Fellaini had a header cleared off the line before Mata sent relief around Old Trafford and condemned Palace to a fifth consecutive game without victory – only goal difference keeping them out of the bottom three. A shoulder injury for Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling’s red card during the Manchester derby compounded Van Gaal’s selection problems in defence and the United manager paired youngster Paddy McNair and Daley Blind at centre-back, with Michael Carrick taking the Netherlands international’s customary midfield spot.
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