Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace: Josh Harrop scores on debut for youthful United side
Sunday 21 May 2017 17:20, UK
Josh Harrop scored on his debut as Manchester United rounded off their domestic season with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Jose Mourinho picked a young side at Old Trafford ahead of the Europa League final against Ajax on Wednesday, and 21-year-old Harrop benefitted by opening the scoring in the 15th minute with a fine run and finish from 12 yards.
Paul Pogba added a second four minutes later, shooting low past Wayne Hennessey inside the box after Jesse Lingard's pacey run.
Palace hit the post in the second half through Christian Benteke's header, but it stayed 2-0, meaning United finish the season in sixth, 24 points off winners Chelsea, while Palace end up in 14th.
As expected, there was a nod to the future at Old Trafford on the final day of the season, with Mourinho fielding United's youngest-ever Premier League XI, averaging 22 years and 284 days old.
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Joel Pereira started in goal, while Scott McTominay made his first start and Demetri Mitchell made his debut, but it was Harrop who impressed most.
Also making his first appearance for the senior side, Harrop took just 15 minutes to get on the scoresheet, latching onto Pogba's fine ball, driving into the area and finding the far corner with a superb effort.
Pogba turned scorer minutes later, finishing under Hennessey after Jesse Lingard had broke from his own half and fed the Frenchman inside the box.
There was a lack of chances for the hosts in the second half, as Benteke did hit the foot of the post after rising highest in the penalty area, before Luka Milivojevic forced a good save from Pereira with a 20-yard free-kick.
Sixteen-year-old Angel Gomes became United's youngest debutant since Duncan Edwards, and the first player to play in the Premier League born in 2000, when he came on with five minutes remaining for Wayne Rooney.
Player ratings
Manchester United: J Pereira (6), Fosu-Mensah (6), Bailly (8), Jones (7), Mitchell (7), McTominay (6), Tuanzebe (6), Pogba (7), Lingard (7), Rooney (6), Harrop (8)
Subs: Carrick (6), Martial (5), Gomes (NA)
Crystal Palace: Hennessey (5), Ward (5), Kelly (5), Tomkins (5), Schlupp (5), Milivojevic (6), Puncheon (6), McArthur (5), Zaha (6), Van Aanholt (5), Benteke (5)
Subs: Sako (5), Kaikai (5), Campbell (5)
Man of the match: Josh Harrop
