Zirkzee and Mount fire Man United to a comeback win at Palace after an early scare
Joshua Zirkzee ended a long, bleak Premier League drought before Mason Mount smashed the winner as Manchester United clawed back a 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace. Ruben Amorim’s side had trailed to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s first-half penalty at a freezing Selhurst Park, but two sharp strikes after the break finally delivered United’s first win in four.
Mateta put Palace ahead from the spot after Leny Yoro’s clumsy lunge, converting at the second attempt under a new double-touch rule that forced a retake. United, sluggish again early on, looked in danger of another grim afternoon until Zirkzee suddenly flicked the switch. The Dutchman, who hadn’t scored a league goal since December 2024, ended a 24-game barren run with a stunning angled finish on 54 minutes.
The £36m signing has been hammered for months for his lack of end product, eight straight appearances without a goal heading into this one. Yet the strike that levelled the match was pure class: chest control, tight angle, and a thumping hit across Dean Henderson into the far corner. It changed the entire mood. A few minutes later, Zirkzee almost scored again in bizarre fashion, deflecting towards his own net before it was hacked clear.
United’s momentum finally stuck, and Mount, another player dogged by injuries and scrutiny, delivered the decisive blow in the 63rd minute. Bruno Fernandes rolled a quick free-kick into his path, and Mount drove a low skimmer beneath the Palace wall, wrong-footing Henderson from 20 yards. Just his second of the season, but one that felt bigger.
Palace, the FA Cup holders and unbeaten at home in the league since mid-February, had started far brighter. Casemiro should’ve scored inside the opening minute, but Henderson bailed Palace out. Mateta then wasted a one-on-one before Lammens tipped away Daichi Kamada’s effort, and Yoro blocked Yeremy Pino’s strike as United hung on grimly.
Amorim had insisted this week there would be no excuses for United’s sputtering start, and he’ll be relieved with the response. Beaten by 10-man Everton just days earlier, they needed something to steady the slide. The fightback not only snapped a miserable run but showed steel that has been missing for months.
The result gives United a foothold again as they try to climb back into contention, while Palace, who’ve caused the top sides plenty of grief under Oliver Glasner, will feel this one slipped away after a dominant first half. United face another stern test next week, but at least they now travel with signs of life.