West Ham haven't won away from home since beating their now-manager Nuno Espirito Santo's Nottingham Forest at the end of August, so this looked like a game where Manchester United could capitalise on an encouraging second half at Selhurst Park, get a win and climb the Premier League table.

In fact, despite a 'turgid' start, that was how it was proceeding when Diogo Dalot controlled a bobbling ball and slotted home for his first Manchester United goal at Old Trafford, a first of any kind in eighteen months.

However, familiar flaws emerged and when young french midfielder Soungoutou Magassa reacted quickest to Mazraoui's goalline clearance it never felt like United could find a second goal to take all three points. Ruben Amorim's substitutions will be viewed in this light, however they were seen at the time.

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Well, isn't this nice... Manchester United win away, in South London, and you can take the first bite out of your advent calendar while you listen to four happy podcasters praise the performances of Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and, yes, Joshua Zirkzee.

It was a remarkable turnaround at Selhurst Park, very much not a happy hunting ground for United in recent years. But, whether it was because of Palace's post-Europe legs, a bit of luck, or just a bit more intensity and clicking into gear, we are accepting our first Christmas present with no complaints about the shape or size of the box.

Altogether now... "One more time..."

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The Everton result has sparked a new wave of soul-searching, but is it fair to feel so dispirited by one result against a competent Premier League team. Or, are we still not being harsh enough to an underperforming manager? Doubtless, you have a fairly strong opinion one way or the other.

We decided to try and raise a bit of a laugh with a hastily devised parlour game; a series of United "would you rather?"s. It raised more questions than it answered.

Onto Palace, then. Selhurst Park isn't a traditionally scary place for Manchester United, but then Crystal Palace aren't traditionally this good. Let's hope THEIR European tie leaves them leggy. Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim (and Mark Critchley) have some selection decisions to make.

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