MANCHESTER UNITED continue to press Leicester City for a top four finish after victory at Crystal Palace.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial maintained their red-hot run of form with a goal apiece either side of half time in the 2-0 win at Selhurst Park.
But it was not all plain-sailing for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side as VAR twice spared them.
Here’s how SunSport’s Gary Stonehouse rated each of the United players:
DE GEA – 7
Called into action early with a good reaction stop to deny Wilfried Zaha and just before the break to tip Luka Milivojevic’s free-kick round the post.
Denied McArthur in the second period but brilliantly kept hold of his clean sheet late on with a terrific save with his left leg to stop Zaha.
WAN-BISSAKA – 6
Former Eagles star was up against a man he will have duelled with many times in training previously in Zaha.
Booked in the first half as he caught McArthur’s ankle when trying to cross and had to walk the tightrope for the rest of the game.
Unable to stop his old team-mate from crossing for Jordan Ayew to slide in and tap home at the back post ten minutes after the restart – but he was saved by VAR after it spotted the forward’s toenail was offside.
LINDELOF – 6
Sloppily slipped when clearing on the edge of his box late in the first period to give the ball straight to Jordan Ayew, but fortunately De Gea was able to palm the shot away.
Seconds later it was Zaha who twisted and turned his way past him before going to ground after a collision with the Swede. It looked clumsy, and replays showed he took the man before the ball, but fortunately for him VAR went with him.
MAGUIRE – 7
Missed two headers early doors from corners and then clashed heads with Ayew in a rough first half. And he beat Sakho again only to head wide at another corner moments before the break.
Produced several good blocks to deny the Eagles but found himself booked for a naughty foul on Ayew and they continued to battle until full time.
But it was the skipper who clung on for the clean sheet with a real gritty performance at the back.
FOSU-MENSAH – 5
Stepped in for the injured Luke Shaw and performed steady away on his his first United appearance for more than three years.
But he was caught ball-watching when allowing Ayew to run in unmarked for the disallowed goal.
MCTOMINAY – 5
Came into the side for Nemanja Matic but failed to make an impression and was too slow with his passing.
He was replaced by the veteran Serb with half an hour to go.
POGBA – 6
Wanted a penalty in the first half as he went to ground after playing a pass before McArthur’s challenge.
Was constantly looking for the ball but there were too many mistakes with the weight of his passing.
GREENWOOD – 5
Despite usually being incisive and clinical, the star got caught on his heels as he fluffed a chance after being teed-up by Martial on the half hour mark.
Perhaps feeling the effects of the ankle knock he suffered against Southampton, he was replaced by Lingard with half an hour left.
FERNANDES – 8
No coincidence that as he grew in stature his team’s threat mounted with him. Great skill for the opening goal as he added another assist to his impressive tally.
He is never shy to pull the trigger himself and came within inches of doubling the lead only to be denied by the post after a breathtaking counter-attack.
But we also know he loves being the creator, and his nutmeg pass to Rashford led to Martial’s goal to seal the points.
Continues to get better and better.
RASHFORD – 7
Just like the rest of the side, the England star was not at his best in the opening 45 but he showed great skill to break the deadlock.
A stunning turn sent keeper Vicente Guaita, Joel Ward and Patrick van Aanholt for a hotdog as he coolly slotted into the bottom corner for his 22nd of the season.
Was a threat on the counter all night and almost repaid the favour for Fernandes’ earlier assist when the Portuguese ace struck the woodwork
And came within inches of a second right at the death.
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MARTIAL – 6
Dropped deeper and deeper before the break no doubt due to frustration with a lack of the ball.
Sparked into life to set-up Rashford on the hour mark but his tema-mate could only fire straight at the goalie.
Has been in scintillating form lately but he was kept quiet by the Palace defence for most of the night but he only needs one chance and he took it to move on to 22 goals for the campaign as well.
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LINGARD (ON 62 MINUTES) – 5
Provided fresh legs when replacing the under-par Greenwood but is unlikely to have done enough to warrant a start next time.
MATIC (ON 63 MINUTES) – 6
Came on to steady the ship after being given a rest and did what he does best.
