Add as preferred source on Google
Matheus Cunha won the second half penalty against Crystal Palace that turned the game in Manchester United’s favour.
Crystal Palace’s promising afternoon at Old Trafford turned sour in the 56th minute. Matheus Cunha was fouled inside the box and United were awarded a penalty.
A VAR review then saw Maxence Lacroix sent off, before Bruno Fernandes scored the spot-kick. Benjamin Sesko went on to score a winner to give United the 2-1 win.
Palace defender Chris Richards discussed the match-turning incident, with a backhanded compliment for Matheus Cunha.
WHAT are your INSTANT REACTIONS to Man United beating Crystal Palace?
BIG WIN for United!
Getty Images 
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Palace defender Chris Richards admitted that they should not have given United an opening inside the box to take advantage of.
He praised Cunha’s game-awareness to make the most of the situation, sparking the 2-1 comeback.
He was quoted via Rich Fay on X: When you’re playing at a place like Old Trafford, more than likely the home team is going to get a call like that.
“Cunha is a smart player, he knows how to play, if you feel a tug in the box, you’re going to go down, so credit to him for that.”
Richards’ comments were no doubt intended as a little dig at the Manchester United forward, insinuating that he went down in the box a little easily.
But he did not reject the fact that Cunha was actually fouled.
WHO was your Man of the Match as United beat Palace 2-1?🤔
Some great performances today!
Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images The right decision, says Mark Clattenburg
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg exclusively told United In Focus that he backed the decision to give Manchester United a penalty, and send off Lacroix.
“The referee was well within his rights to award a penalty kick and, as the attacker had a goalscoring opportunity and the defender was not making an attempt to play the ball, Lacroix was correctly sent from the field of play.
“Once the referee awards the penalty, there is no way the VAR would overturn this.”
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox