The decisive goal of the game came from Odsonne Edouard, after Jordan Ayew found space on the right to fire in a cross that the striker turned past Wes Foderingham. Palace also had two goals ruled out for offside while 20-year-old Will Osula, on his Premier League debut, went close earlier with a curling effort that was just deflected wide.
Boss Paul Heckingbottom named four academy players on his bench as the reality of United’s strength in depth was laid bare, against a side packed with Premier League quality players led by Eberechi Eze. Here’s how we rated United’s players on the day...
9. Ben Osborn 5
Was the more advanced of United’s three midfielders for large parts of the game and showed some neat touches on the ball as United looked to make a quick start. Also offered valuable defensive protection but neither he nor Lowe could do enough to prevent Ayew’s brilliant cross for Edouard’s opener. Made way late on for Brooks | Getty Images
10. Will Osula 6
Handed a dream chance to make an impact soon after turning 20 years of age and will have thought he’d marked it with a dream opener early on when he curled goalwards on his left foot, only for the ball to take a slight nick and drop just wide of Johnstone’s goal with the goalkeeper nowhere near it. Later hit the side-netting with a stinging shot that half the Lane thought was in | Getty Images
11. Benie Traore 5
Made his competitive debut for United after a badly truncated pre-season campaign with his new club and had a few chances to stretch his legs and run at the Palace defence with the ball, but could never quite take full advantage. Looked desperate to press and harry the visiting back-line, which will endear him to the home fans as time goes on. But needs to learn about the physicality, or lack of it, in the Premier League after giving away a few cheap fouls. Got a standing ovation when he came off late on for Hackford | AFP via Getty Images
12. Subs: Vinicius Souza
Came on for his United debut in place of Basham in midfield | Sheffield United FC via Getty Images