Crystal Palace Not Ready to Lose, Claim Manchester United Much Benefited by Referee at Old Trafford

JAKARTA - Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner called the decision to give a penalty to Manchester United in the 1-2 defeat on Sunday, March 1, 2026, a bonus at Old Trafford.

Glasner said the second-half penalty changed the course of the game after Manchester United came from behind to level at one goal in the first half.

Not only that, Maxence Lacroix was also sent off for pulling Matheus Cunha - the start of the penalty.

Referee Chris Kavanagh issued a red card after a VAR review, but Glasner was more upset with the penalty. He argued that contact between the two players started outside the penalty area.

"There were several different situations to assess, but it still felt like the wrong decision. It was not a penalty, maybe a red card for an offense outside the penalty area."

"However, the offense started outside the penalty area. Maybe a little bonus at Old Trafford," said Glasner.

Bruno Fernandes scored from the spot before Benjamin Sesko scored to seal Michael Carrick's sixth win from seven games as interim manager.

For Sesko, the goal was his third consecutive match.

After the match, Carrick praised his team's spirit as Manchester United climbed to third in the English League table.

"That was the biggest thing we could take from this game. It was the first time we were in that situation at half-time."

"I think we were a little less than maximum at the start. I think they started very well, so congratulations to them. At the break of the first half, the most important thing is to be in that position and how we react and show that personality and confidence."

"Football is sometimes difficult and this league is difficult. So you're not always going to get what you want. To come back like we did in the second half and turn it around is the biggest thing I can take from today," Carrick said.

Manchester United have leapfrogged Aston Villa into third place in the Premier League following the win, while Crystal Palace remain in 14th.