Romelu Lukaku “grabbed his chance” by scoring twice to make light work of Manchester United’s injury crisis with a comfortable Premier League victory over Crystal Palace, says manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Red Devils were missing eight first-team players at Selhurst Park, but claimed a club record eighth consecutive win away from home and extended their unbeaten league run under their interim boss to 11 games.
Belgium striker Lukaku netted in each half, curling a well-placed shot into the corner for his first and scooping over goalkeeper Vicente Guaita for his second.
Looking to respond, Palace winger Jeffrey Schlupp, flicked a header wide of the far post, but Joel Ward did manage to convert a diving header from close range with 24 minutes remaining.
Solskjaer said: “He [Lukaku] has done loads of running up and down the line, right wing, left wing. He’s had a different role because of Marcus Rashford’s form.
“He got a chance up front. Two very good finishes, could have had another one as well earlier on, so I am very pleased for Rom. He is a quality finisher.
“It’s great to have him around the place, always happy, always working on his finishing. He’s played more than you think, but he’s played wide right, wide left, so it’s Rash’s form that has moved him out there.
“Now with Rash’s injury, he grabbed his chance.”
United were under pressure late on but Ashley Young drilled in a third for the victory as United stay fifth in the table, a point behind Arsenal who hammered Bournemouth 5-1, while Palace remain 14th.
There were major concerns before the game that boss Solskjaer may have to field a significantly-weakened United side, having seen three players stricken by injury in the first half against Liverpool last Sunday.
But the Norwegian managed to put out a fairly strong eleven, giving a start to £47m summer signing Fred for his first appearance since 5 January in the FA Cup.
The former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder was shaky early on, being outmuscled off the ball too often and playing loose passes, but his 84.5% pass accuracy was bettered only by defender Victor Lindelof.
Solskjaer, who has repeatedly spoken about the traditions of Manchester United, took the opportunity to hand a debut to 17-year-old youth team midfielder James Garner for the final minute, replacing Fred.
Forward Alexis Sanchez failed to impress in another lacklustre showing, but striker Lukaku scored two well-taken goals, having missed a glorious chance in the opening 10 minutes when he volleyed over from close range.
The former Chelsea, Everton and West Brom man moved into the Premier League’s top 20 all-time leading scorers, his 111 strikes drawing him level with Dion Dublin.
At the back, full-back Luke Shaw followed up his excellent showing against Liverpool with another solid performance, while Young kept Wilfried Zaha quiet and capped his display with a goal.
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Palace’s unwanted record of having never beaten Manchester United in a Premier League game continued, extending the run to 20 games. The loss also brought to an end a run of six unbeaten games in all competitions.
Former England boss Roy Hodgson has now lost 12 top-flight matches against United – more than he has against any other club.
The Eagles should have gone ahead when Andros Townsend clipped a shot over from close range, while Michy Batshuayi headed over and skipper Luka Milivojevic struck a free-kick wide.
Defender Ward pulled a goal back in the second half and the Englishman was imposing at the back too – his three tackles, three clearances and winning the ball back seven times could not be surpassed by a team-mate.
Palace manager Roy Hodgson said: “When we scored it was a result of the pressure we exerted.
“We made a few changes to try and get something from the game and, as so often happens against teams of this quality, they find a way of picking you off with a third goal.
“No doubt they’re playing very well. Their organisation and work-rate was good. They do have some very, very good players on top of that and they sometimes find a way to punish you, as Lukaku did.”