Fred Strikes As Rangnick Secures Man United Debut Win

Brazilian midfielder Fred secured a late winner for Manchester United as Ralf Rangnick’s reign began with a 1-0 win over a stubborn Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.

Ezenwoko’s Blog reports that Fred struck first-time in the 77th minute from Mason Greenwood’s lay-off to send a superb 20-yard effort curling over Vicente Guaita and into the top corner.

It was only Fred’s second goal of the season – and the first time since the middle of September that United have recorded back-to-back league wins.

Until the Brazilian’s effort, Rangnick’s side created numerous decent chances, without really looking as though they were going to score and Guaita would probably have saved an Alex Telles free-kick that skimmed the bar had it been on target.

Indeed Palace, who were looking to win for a third successive season at Old Trafford, came close themselves when Jordan Ayew turned James Tomkins header across the face of goal and narrowly wide of the far post.

The victory meant that Rangnick emulated three of United’s other four new managers since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 by winning his first match at the helm, with Louis van Gaal the only man to fail.

It also extends United’s post-Ole Gunnar Solskjaer unbeaten run in all competitions to four matches and lifts them up to sixth in the Premier League, three points outside the top four, while Palace drop a place to 12th after suffering their third straight defeat.

United’s next match is against Young Boys in the Champions League on Wednesday, 8 December and their next Premier League game is at Norwich on Saturday, 11 December.

Crystal Palace’s next game is against Everton at Selhurst Park on Sunday, 12 December.