Football can be a cruel, repetitive joke. For years, Manchester United fans looked at a trip to South London with the same enthusiasm you’d have for a root canal. Selhurst Park had become a graveyard for United’s ambitions, a place where the atmosphere is loud, the pitch feels small, and the Eagles usually find a way to make life miserable for the "Big Six."
But something shifted in the most recent Manchester United vs Crystal Palace clash.
If you caught the game back in late November 2025, you saw a United side that actually looked like they had a pulse under pressure. It wasn't the usual story of a slow collapse. Instead, we got a gritty 2-1 comeback win that felt like a massive weight lifting off the club's shoulders.
What changed in the Manchester United vs Crystal Palace rivalry?
For a long time, the stats were ugly. Palace had managed to record a league double over United in the 2023-24 season, including that 4-0 demolition at Selhurst that still gives some fans nightmares. Before the 2025 win, United hadn't actually won a league game at Palace since 2020. That is a long time to go without a "W" at a ground where you're technically the favorite every time.
The most recent encounter was a masterclass in modern United chaos.
Jean-Philippe Mateta, who honestly seems to exist solely to annoy United defenders, put Palace ahead with a penalty. It was a messy situation involving Leny Yoro, who has been great but showed his age with a clumsy challenge. Mateta had to take the penalty twice because of the updated double-touch laws, but he didn't blink.
👉 See also: Why the Marlins Won World Series Titles Twice and Then Disappeared
At that point, most of us thought, "Here we go again."
The turning point for the Red Devils
Then something weird happened. United didn't fold.
Joshua Zirkzee, who had been struggling for goals (we’re talking a nearly year-long drought in the league), popped up with an equalizer from a tight angle. It wasn't pretty, but it was effective. Then came Mason Mount. After a couple of seasons plagued by injuries and "is he even in the squad?" questions, he smashed home a winner from a free-kick routine.
It was a set-piece goal. From Manchester United. Yeah, I was shocked too.
The Michael Carrick Effect and the current table
Fast forward to right now in January 2026, and the landscape has shifted even more. Michael Carrick has taken the wheel as head coach, and the vibe is significantly different. United are fresh off a 2-0 win against Manchester City and have climbed up to 5th in the table with 35 points.
✨ Don't miss: Why Funny Fantasy Football Names Actually Win Leagues
Palace, meanwhile, are sitting in 13th. They’ve become the "draw kings" of the Premier League, recently stringing together a series of stalemates that have kept them clear of the relegation zone but away from the European spots.
- Manchester United: 5th Place (35 pts)
- Crystal Palace: 13th Place (28 pts)
The gap is seven points, but it feels wider when you look at the momentum. United are five matches unbeaten. Palace are... well, they're hard to beat, but they're struggling to kill games off.
Why Palace is still a nightmare to play
Don't let the table fool you. Oliver Glasner has made this Palace team exceptionally disciplined. They don't concede much, and they have guys like Adam Wharton who can dictate the tempo of a game better than most seasoned veterans.
When you look at the Manchester United vs Crystal Palace history, the Eagles have actually won four of their last nine league meetings. That isn't a fluke. They know how to exploit United's tendency to leave gaps in transition. If you give Mateta or Eberechi Eze an inch of space, you’re usually picking the ball out of the net.
Key factors for the next matchup
When these two meet again on February 28 at Old Trafford, the tactical battle is going to be fascinating. Carrick likes a bit more control, but Palace thrives on the counter.
🔗 Read more: Heisman Trophy Nominees 2024: The Year the System Almost Broke
- Leny Yoro vs. Mateta: This is the big one. The young Frenchman needs to show he’s learned from the penalty incident in November.
- The Midfield Battle: Casemiro vs. Adam Wharton. It’s the old guard against the new school. Wharton’s passing range is elite, and if Casemiro's legs look heavy, United are in trouble.
- Set Pieces: Since the November win was decided by a free-kick, expect Palace to be much more disciplined in their wall organization this time around.
United's home form has been better lately, but Palace has won at Old Trafford twice in the last few years. It's not the fortress it used to be.
What to expect going forward
If you’re looking at this from a betting or fan perspective, the "Safe" United is back, but the "Vulnerable" United is always just one bad pass away. The recent Manchester United vs Crystal Palace results show that the talent gap is narrowing. Palace aren't just showing up to defend; they’re showing up to win.
United have found a way to grind out results, which is a hallmark of a team that’s finally growing up. Whether they can maintain that under Carrick's new system is the $100 million question.
Practical takeaways for the next clash
If you're watching the next game or tracking the stats, keep an eye on the first 15 minutes of the second half. In the last three meetings, that’s when the game has swung. United tend to start slow and finish strong, while Palace often peaks in the first half and tries to hold on.
Watch the wing-back battles too. Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot have been essential for United's width lately. If Palace can pin them back, the service to Zirkzee or Bryan Mbeumo—who has been a revelation since joining—gets cut off entirely.
The days of assuming a United win are long gone. But after the 2025 result, the fear factor of the Eagles has definitely diminished.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Track the Injury List: Keep a close eye on Harry Maguire and Matheus Cunha. Their availability completely changes how United builds from the back.
- Watch the Press: Carrick has implemented a higher line. If Palace breaks that press, they will get 1-on-1s with the keeper.
- Check the Set-Piece Stats: United have improved here, but Palace remains one of the best in the league at defending corners. If the game is tight, a dead ball will decide it.