Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace: Fernandes and Rashford stretch winning run as Casemiro sees red

Palace were on the back foot from the off in Saturday's game and fell behind to Fernandes' typically cool penalty inside the opening 10 minutes, before Rashford added a second goal shortly after the hour.

Casemiro was then dismissed following a VAR review after he put his hands around Will Hughes' neck during an altercation between both sets of players, and Jeffrey Schlupp set up a tense finale with a goal 14 minutes from full-time.

United held on, though, to move three points behind second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand – while Palace remain 12th, six points clear of the relegation zone.

The hosts were rewarded for a bright start in the seventh minute when Fernandes stroked home from the spot after Hughes handled Rashford's cross – the decision given following a pitchside review by referee Andre Marriner.

Vicente Guaita kept out efforts from Wout Weghorst and Rashford before the half-hour mark, while Fred clipped wide from close range as United threatened to double their advantage.

Rashford was switched into the centre of United's attack following Alejandro Garnacho's introduction in place of Weghorst, and the move paid off in the 62nd minute as the in-form England international steered home Luke Shaw's cross from eight yards.

Casemiro's red-mist moment handed the initiative to Palace, who reduced the deficit when Schlupp prodded home from a corner, yet United managed to hold on for maximum points.

United seemed to be cruising to victory before Schlupp's barge on Antony set in motion a chain of events that resulted in Casemiro's red card.

Such was Palace's domination after that point it looked like the hosts were playing with eight men, yet Ten Hag added steel to the backline through the introductions of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, and they managed to cling on for a win that cements their place in the top four.

It was far from a vintage display from United, yet Fernandes can hold his head high after another instrumental performance. The Portugal international got them on their way from the spot, while his four key passes ranked him higher than anyone else on the pitch.

Casemiro put his side under unnecessary pressure in the closing stages when he grabbed Hughes by the throat. His subsequent dismissal was the first straight red card he has been shown while playing for a club in the big five European leagues, across 336 appearances for Real Madrid and 30 for United.