Live blog: Manchester United v Crystal Palace

It was no less than Palace deserved for creating the better opportunities – and whilst the hosts continued to fire efforts goalwards from range, Amad seeing one fly over the bar, they ultimately failed to test Henderson in the next passage of play.

Indeed, Palace could have gone two ahead with 15 minutes remaining after an almost identical set-piece from Eze found Lerma rising high at the far post – but his header across goal ran all the way across the Man Utd goal, and beyond it.

A series of late United corners put the Palace goalmouth under sustained pressure for the first time in the second-half, but the Eagles held firm with several important headed clearances, and some commanding punches and claims by Henderson.

The afternoon got even better for Palace in the closing stages: Adam Wharton came on in the final minute for his first involvement since 30th October, after recovering from a groin injury.

And seconds later, Sarr played an inch-perfect pass round the corner for Muñoz, who unselfishly lifted his head and squared the ball for Mateta to fire home a clincher.

There was even time for a crucial Guéhi intervention in front of goal to secure Palace’s third consecutive clean sheet on the road, and extend our club-record unbeaten run on the road to eight Premier League matches.

Sunday afternoons rarely come much better.

Man Utd: Onana (GK), Mazraoui (Zirkzee, 70), Yoro, Maguire, Martinez (De Ligt, 82), Dalot, Ugarte (Eriksen, 87), Fernandes, Mainoo (Hojlund, 70), Amad, Garnacho.

Subs: Bayindir (GK), Harrison (GK), Lindelof, Casemiro, Collyer.

Palace: Henderson (GK), Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi, Muñoz, Lerma, Hughes (Wharton, 88), Mitchell (Clyne, 88), Kamada (Eze, 61), Sarr (Devenny, 90+6), Mateta.

Subs: Turner (GK), Kporha, Schlupp, Esse, Nketiah.

As It Happened