Ralf Rangnick's first match as manager of Manchester United was a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick has won his first game in charge.
While the team is still clearly a work in progress, there was a noticeable improvement in both United's desire to win the ball back and their build-up play once it was won.
However, it was a hard-fought victory over a spirited Crystal Palace side that should have taken the lead when the ball landed at an unmarked Jordan Ayew's feet from a corner, but he could only shoot wide.
The match was won moments later when Man of the Match Fred picked up the ball and curled a delicious shot with his weaker foot into the far top corner from the edge of the box.
Ralf Rangnick arrived on the pitch for his first match as United manager with little fanfare.
The German made no grand entrance and barely looked at his new fans as he blended in with the rest of his coaching staff, who were all dressed in identical black coats and headed straight to his technical area.
Several United legends were present for the start of Rangnick's reign, with Derby County manager Wayne Rooney receiving a warm welcome from fans who spotted him and then sang his name.
Denis Law and Sir Alex Ferguson were also present at the stadium.
Nasty blow for Maguire
Captain Harry Maguire collided with Palace's Odsonne Edouard near the end of the game as both jumped up to meet a corner.
He was patched up for a long time, and while no one could miss the big black bandage wrapped around his head, his blow could have been missed.
A deep gash could be seen peeking out from beneath the bandage just above his right eye, with blood from the knock drying on his face. Maguire persevered to the end of the game, but he'll be sore in the morning.
There are no counter-attacks.
The fact that United were not on the receiving end of a counter-attack once, despite coming up against a team that is very good at them, is perhaps the most laudable thing Rangnick can say about his first game in charge.
One of United's biggest issues under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was that they were slow to win the ball back and, as a result, were frequently exposed to teams getting them on the counter, but that's an issue that has been quickly addressed after only a few weeks on the practice field.
Fred basks in the praise.
The energetic and combative Fred looked at home in a more advanced position today, and he would have been named Man of the Match even before scoring the stunning winner.
The Brazilian looks like he could thrive under Rangnick's tutelage, so it's only fitting that he scored the first goal of his tenure.
Following the game, Fred spent more time than most of his teammates waving and applauding the Old Trafford faithful, soaking in their adoration in turn.
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