Casemiro produces masterclass as Man Utd dump Crystal Palace out of Carabao Cup

Manchester United got their Carabao Cup title defence underway on Tuesday with a 3-0 third-round win over fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace.

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Goals from Alejandro Garnacho, Casemiro and Anthony Martial secured the victory at Old Trafford as United booked their place in the fourth round.

Erik ten Hag guided the Red Devils to glory in the competition last term in what was United’s first major trophy in six years.

United are back in action on Saturday when they host Palace again, this time in the Premier League, as they look to secure back-to-back wins over the Eagles.

The opening 10 minutes of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup clash were largely uneventful with the only notable chance falling to Sofyan Amrabat – making his first start for United since his summer arrival and being deployed as a left-back by Ten Hag – but the Moroccan’s poor shot from 22 yards flew high and wide.

Not long after, Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson – who left Old Trafford this summer – was forced off by injury and replaced by Sam Johnstone before Garnacho put United ahead on 21 minutes with his sliding finish from Diogo Dalot’s low ball across goal finding the net.

Just six minutes later and United doubled their lead through Casemiro, with his looping header from Mason Mount’s corner kick flying past Johnstone as the Brazilian registered his fourth goal of the season.

United’s dominance continued after the break as Martial made it 3-0 on 55 minutes, with the Frenchman firing across goal following Casemiro’s superb ball to the back post.

Palace finally produced a notable chance after the hour mark with Andre Onana forced into a clever save – sticking out a leg to deny Jean-Philippe Mateta following impressive work from Eberechi Eze – and Jonny Evans could have extended United’s lead but his header was blocked away by Johnstone.

The Eagles had another opportunity to find a consolation late-on – with Onana again made to swat away a shot from Mateta before Eze fired wide – but it was too little, too late for Roy Hodgson’s men as United secured a comfortable win.

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