It happened again
The last time Man United scored at Selhurst park against Crystal Palace was way back in Apr 1998. Manchester United have never lost to the Eagles in the nine premier league meeting between the sides.
Manchester United make four changes to the side that drew to Arsenal as Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic play together at centre back. Good news also as Maraoune Fellaini returns to the starting eleven after recovering from his injury, the other two changes are Chris Smalling for Rafael Da Silva and Adnan Januzaj for Antonio Valencia.
Man United XI:De Gea, Smalling, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Fellaini, Carrick, Januzaj, Mata, Rooney, van Persie.
Subs: Lindegaard, Valencia, Fletcher, Giggs, Kagawa, Young, Hernandez.
Crystal Palace make three changes as Johnathan Parr comes in at right back for Joe Ledley who moves into midfielder also for Glenn Murray returns for his first start this season the striker who scored 30 goals last season.
Crystal Palace XI: Speroni, Ward, Dann, Delaney, Parr, Puncheon, Jedinak, Ledley, Ince, Chamakh, Murray.
Subs: Hennessey, Gabbidon, Dikgacoi, Bannan, Bolasie, Gayle, Jerome.
17 minutes into the game when Man United had the ball in front of the Palace back four as Van Persie had picked up the ball on the right hand side. The Dutchman had picked out Januzaj in the a dangerous as he had appeared to control the ball with his hand but the youngster continued and thrashed the ball into the bottom right hand corner but the decision had been given as a handball by referee Michael Oliver.
26 minutes had past as Wayne Rooney's corner from the left hand side had hit Van Persie at the front post and come back to the Englishman. Rooney had taken his time and curled a cross/shot into the back post which had been heading in as Damien Delaney jumped to clear the ball of the line. The ball had been in the air with a bunch of players below as Vidic had climbed up to head just over the bar.
2 minutes until the end of the first half when Fellaini had slipped through Van Persie down the right hand side, Van Persie had somehow got the ball to Juan Mata who had been coming in. The Spanish international Mata had laid off Fellaini in the box unmarked and all he had to do was place the ball into the net but the returning Fellaini had smashed the ball wide of the top left hand corner.
At half time and the scores are still deadlocked at 0-0 with both sides playing a very tactical game plan.
Manchester United have dominated the ball having around 70% of the ball but have only managed one shot on target.
Crystal Palace have set up very well defensively and have almost 10 men behind the ball every time Man United get into the attacking third. The Eagles look more than likely to score from a set piece as that is were they have been most dangerous.
60 minutes had past in the match when Patrice Evra had been threaded on the left hand side as Maraoune Chamakah had come in to sweep his legs away inside the box as referee Michael Oliver had pointed to the penalty spot. Robin Van Persie would take as the travelling away fans hoped for the ball to go in as Van Persie converted the ball into the left hand side as the Man United fans celebrate with extreme joy, The Dutchman scored his second penalty against Crystal Palace after scoring one at Old Trafford.
7 minutes later when Evra on the left hand side had somehow managed to get the ball into the box where Rooney had been unmarked as the Man United fans stopped and waited as Rooney rifled the ball into the top of the net past Julio Speroni a fantastic goal as Man United fans celebrate with joy as the player who is committed to United long term scores an world class goal. So far it has been a repeat of what happened in the game against Palace as Van Persie and Rooney have both got on the scoresheet.
20 minutes left when Van Persie had up the pitch all on his own as Rooney had tried to get up with him as Van Persie had Delany on the left hand side with the striker having the ball, Van Persie had twisted and turned until he ha made a tight angle to shoot but the shot had cannoned off the crossbar keeping United away from a third goal in this match.
Full time as Manchester United get the three points and move up to 6th joint with Everton, United get their first away win of 2014 just two months into it.
Manchester United played well and it was tough to break down Crystal Palace but a slip in sloppiness costed the Eagles as Van Persie scored and then once the first went in United attacked again scoring with Wayne Rooney.
Crystal Palace had one plan to defend a 0-0 but once that went out the window they looked tired and lacked concentration. Palace did however play very well and deserved some credit as they did try and attack the game.
Next up for Man United is a away trip to Olympakios in the champions league on Tuesday night.