It was a fine save by Butland but Martial ought to have put away his earlier chance. That one was more difficult and he finished emphatically, killing the ball with his chest and lashing in. Dalot celebrated that jubilantly for it was a direct assist – and a laudable one; left-footed and intended for the recipient. Those two are having a very good tour.
You can imagine Ten Hag purring over that goal. United’s full-backs haven’t been involved in attacking play often enough in recent seasons, but that featured the left-back finding the right-back with a ball across the edge of the area. It was excellent from Dalot to take the ball on his chest and feint onto his left foot, and a fine take and finish from Martial.
Fred is fouled but does well to get back up and play a brilliant reverse pass into Martial who is just onside. The striker is clean through but is denied by Butland. A lovely move but it should be 1-0, despite the quality of the save.
No clear cut chances have been created yet but United are looking sharp as they go forward, with Martial at the heart of everything. The Frenchman linked well with Malacia and Fernandes to get past a few defenders before eventually being snuffed out.
Maguire stands strong and shepherds the ball out for a goal kick and he earns rapturous applause and cheers as a result, clearly in response to those booing him… which happens again a moment later.
Manchester united vs crystal Palace
1st Goal
⚽ A. Martial
🅰 D. Dalot pic.twitter.com/JclhHhcYyN— Young bartho 01 (@Tonymakanaki20) July 19, 2022