Manchester United continued their perfect record under Erik ten Hag with a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace in Melbourne.
In their penultimate match of their pre-season tour in Australia, United were once again impressive as they built on wins over Liverpool and Melbourne Victory.
Anthony Martial got his third goal of pre-season, before Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho extended the lead after the break in a dominant showing. It was a messy final 20 minutes though from United, after making a number of substitutions, as Joel Ward netted a consolation and teenager Will Fish was shown a straight red card late on.
United now travel to Perth where they will face Aston Villa, while Palace will join them there for a match against Leeds. Much of the Eagles’ first-team remain in the UK, due to being unable to travel to Australia, and they will face Gillingham later on Tuesday.
Ten Hag once again opted for a strong starting XI, with Sancho, Rashford and Bruno Fernandes all in from the off, while Patrick Vieira had an inexperienced squad to choose from.
It was a bright start from United, Jack Butland making a good early save to deny Martial but it came at a cost as he was then forced off with a finger injury.
Martial soon got his goal and in fine fashion. Tyrell Malacia, on his first start as a United player, was involved in the build-up, before Diogo Dalot swung a cross into the box and Martial brought it down and volleyed home.
Harry Maguire, who was booed almost every time he touched the ball, went close to scoring late in the half as Palace struggled to make any sort of impact in the match.
United doubled the lead shortly after the break with a sublime team move. Martial and Sancho combined really well before Donny van de Beek, introduced at half-time, squared the ball for Rashford to finish into an empty net.
Sancho got his name on the scoresheet just before the hour mark, set clean through on goal by a lovely first-time pass from Martial and the Englishman provided the composed finish.
With 25 minutes remaining Ten Hag changed almost the entire team, with David de Gea and Malacia the only two starters staying on the pitch.
De Gea was at fault as Palace, encouraged by facing a more youthful United side, pulled one back. A corner was swung in, Ward had a free header and the United goalkeeper was unable to produce what should have been a routine save.
Fish, one of those second-half substitutions, was reluctantly sent-off by the referee, as he hauled Victor Akinwale down with the striker through on goal, as a comfortable night ended in slightly ragged fashion for United.
