An early own goal from Palace defender Damien Delaney was added to in the second half by Italy full-back Matteo Darmian as the two sides warmed up for their last-four tussles with contrasting results.
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Wednesday’s 2-0 win over the Eagles moved United within a point of the top four, and two behind rivals Manchester City, and increased the confidence within the camp ahead of Saturday’s semi-final clash with Everton at Wembley.
With United in touching distance of the top four Champions League places and through to the FA Cup semifinals, the season is not looking as bleak as it once did for manager Louis van Gaal.
“It was more of a midfield role today, also because of the way Crystal Palace play, and I didn’t want to change [Marcus] Rashford from that [striker] position, so I had to look from another position for Wayne”.
“I was very happy with the performance and I think it was a four or five to zero game”. “We created a lot of chances”.
Such is the pressure in the challenge for fourth that Van Gaal has had to put thoughts of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Everton to one side.
The Toffees have failed to win their last seven league matches, most recently suffering a 4-0 defeat in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool last night.
United’s win against Palace wasn’t particularly impressive, even if it was one of the better displays in recent weeks. “But that part is still very important because you need the guts to do it”. I couldn’t fault my players’ effort but it was just that little bit of focus, where you hurt teams, wasn’t quite there.
“It was more of a midfield role because of the way Crystal Palace played”. “I said in the first half he played well and in the second half he got exhausted and that is why we changed him”.
“We had to win, and that we have done – and now it is another game”.
The manager said, “Of course the semi-final is not nothing”.
“When we survive Everton, I shall give the players a lot of days off”.
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“The FA Cup, for Manchester United, is going to be a big, big event – but for us, it is a huge event”, Pardew said.
