News Summary:
- Manchester United secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace F.C., mounting a comeback after conceding an early goal and capitalizing on an opponent’s red card.
- Under Michael Carrick’s guidance, the team extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches since Boxing Day, propelling them to third place in the Premier League standings.
- Bruno Fernandes surpassed David Beckham’s record for the most Premier League games contributing both a goal and an assist for Manchester United.
Teknowarta – Manchester United clinched a sensational 2-1 comeback victory against Crystal Palace in a thrilling Premier League Week 28 clash at Old Trafford on Sunday, January 3, 2026, evening WIB. The dramatic encounter saw the Red Devils fight back from an early deficit to secure crucial points.
The atmosphere at Old Trafford was momentarily silenced just four minutes into the game when Palace defender Maxence Lacroix stunned the home crowd with an unexpected early goal, putting the visitors ahead.
However, misfortune struck the Eagles when Lacroix was shown a direct red card for a harsh foul inside the penalty area. The referee’s decision to point to the spot marked a pivotal turning point in the match, shifting the momentum firmly in United’s favour.
Bruno Fernandes stepped up confidently to convert the resulting penalty in the 56th minute, drawing the scores level. With a numerical advantage, Manchester United grew increasingly dominant, pressing relentlessly for a winner.
Their sustained pressure eventually paid off in the 65th minute. A powerful header from Benjamin Sesko proved too much for former United goalkeeper Dean Henderson to handle, nestling in the back of the net and sealing a hard-fought 2-1 victory for the hosts.
This vital three-point haul propelled Manchester United up to third place in the Premier League 2025/2026 standings. They now sit on 51 points, level with Aston Villa but holding an advantage due to superior goal difference and overall collective performance.
Beyond the drama of the match, this significant win also brought to light several intriguing facts and remarkable achievements for the club:
1. Manchester United: The Premier League’s Undisputed Best Since 2026
Under the astute guidance of Michael Carrick, Manchester United has transformed into one of the most consistent and formidable forces in the Premier League this season.
Since Carrick took the reins, the Red Devils have enjoyed an impressive unbeaten streak, recording six victories and one draw in their recent league outings.
This stellar run extends their overall unbeaten record to 11 matches across all competitions since the Boxing Day fixtures in late December, comprising seven wins and four draws.
Carrick has also orchestrated four consecutive home wins at Old Trafford, an impressive feat that includes triumphs over formidable opponents such as Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Fulham, and now Crystal Palace.
Remarkably, Manchester United stands alone as the only Premier League team to remain undefeated throughout the entirety of 2026 so far this season, a testament to their renewed strength and resilience.
Statistically, Carrick has amassed an impressive 23 points in just nine Premier League matches as Manchester United manager (seven wins, two draws), a tally that includes both of his coaching stints at the club.
This remarkable achievement places him alongside Ange Postecoglou, matching the best-ever record in the competition’s history for points gained by a manager in their first nine games.
The foundation of United‘s resurgence in the second half of the season has been built upon tactical stability and unwavering defensive discipline, allowing their attacking talent to flourish.
These impressive results further strengthen Carrick‘s case for a permanent managerial role at Old Trafford, as the club’s management weighs their future leadership options.
2. Bruno Fernandes Overtakes David Beckham in Premier League Record Books
Bruno Fernandes once again stole the headlines with a standout performance. Beyond netting the crucial equalizing goal, the Manchester United captain continues to etch his name into the club’s illustrious history with remarkable consistency.
Fernandes has now incredibly scored and provided an assist in 18 different Premier League matches for Manchester United, surpassing the legendary David Beckham, who achieved this feat in 17 games.
This puts him in esteemed company, with only two other club legends ahead of him: Wayne Rooney (35 matches) and Ryan Giggs (22 matches).
Such statistics unequivocally underscore Bruno‘s vital role as the engine of United‘s playmaking and the decisive difference-maker in crucial moments on the pitch.
With this sustained momentum, Manchester United now approaches the remainder of the season with renewed confidence and belief.
Should this impressive consistency continue, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that the Red Devils could emerge as strong contenders in the fiercely contested 2025/2026 Premier League title race.
(Source: Tribunnews.com/Ali)
Summary
Manchester United secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against Crystal Palace in a thrilling Premier League match at Old Trafford. After conceding an early goal, United capitalized on a red card given to Palace’s Maxence Lacroix inside the penalty area. Bruno Fernandes then converted the penalty to equalize, followed by Benjamin Sesko scoring the winning goal, which propelled United to third place in the 2025/2026 Premier League standings.
Under Michael Carrick’s guidance, Manchester United has emerged as the Premier League’s only undefeated team throughout 2026, extending their impressive unbeaten streak to 11 matches across all competitions since Boxing Day. Carrick has notably accumulated 23 points in nine Premier League matches, matching a historical record for managers. Additionally, Bruno Fernandes surpassed David Beckham’s record, achieving a goal and an assist in 18 different Premier League games for the club.