Highlights: Manchester United 1-0 Crystal Palace - Juan Mata comes off the bench to score

Juan Mata was United’s hero for the day

Manchester United moved up to the sixth spot in the Premier League standings courtesy a 20-yard drive in the second half from substitute Juan Mata. Coach Louis van Gaal brought on Mata in the 63rd minute to break the deadlock at Old Trafford, and the Spaniard had an immediate impact on proceedings.

United had the lion’s share of possession in the match, allowing Palace only 28% of the ball. However, their defence continued to look frail on the rare occasions that it was put to the test.

This was the third clean sheet that United managed to keep in 13 matches, and continue to be unbeaten at home after the opening day of the season.

Luke Shaw had the hosts’ best chance in the first half but the Palace goalkeeper, Jay Speroni, did well to keep his shot out.

The away team, though, lacked the initiative to pose an attacking threat even after going behind. In fact, it was the goalscorer Mata who had a chance to increase the margin of victory late in the match, but his shot smacked against the post.

With this much-needed victory, Manchester United look comfortable at the middle of the table with 16 points from 11 matches, but there are a host of teams like Swansea and Totenham Hotspur breathing down their necks. Crystal Palace, on the other hand rest precariously at 17th spot with 9 points from 11 matches.

Highlights

Manchester United 1-0 Crystal Palace: Mata (67’)

Within four minutes of coming on for Januzaj, Mata managed to create some room for himself, and unleashed a blinding left-footed shot from outside the penalty box, which took the slightest of deflections and went into the net.