Micah Richards has lauded Victor Lindelof for his performance in Manchester United's win as the former defender praised the Ralf Rangnick change that brought control to their display.
Fred's second-half goal proved to be decisive as the Reds picked up the three points and just their third clean sheet of the season.
It marked a debut win for interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who had taken just one training session prior to Sunday's meeting, as he became the first German to win their first Premier League match in charge.
In his first press conference, the 63-year-old detailed how the five-goal thriller with Arsenal was a match "you don't want these types of games as a coach" as he explained how he would bring control to the squad.
However, the win over Palace sparked a welcome change and a clear change in approach from the Reds evident in the stats as they dispossessed the Eagles 12 times in their own half.
Rangnick opted for a 4-2-2-2, a tactic he implemented previously at Red Bull Salzburg and Leipzig, allowing Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford to partner each other.
For the former Premier League defender, whilst it wasn't a 'typical United performance' he liked the showing from United with the Swedish defender coming in for praise.
"The control was all in the centre of the pitch, straight from the off really," Richards said on Match of the Day 2.
"We talk about the 4-2-2-2, what he is trying to do is win them second balls. [Cristiano] Ronaldo coming out, Fred, Bruno Fernandes making Palace make their own errors then it goes out for a throw-in.
"What I really did like is how high they were, it's the highest I've probably ever seen Man United, but they were in control. They were taking risks, Lindelof I thought was outstanding, the way he wanted to come out, always on the front foot.
"Playing two upfront allows Ronaldo to come a little deeper and Rashford to make those runs behind which he has done a lot of his career, trying to work together.
"It was just constant. Lindelof taking the risk, responsibility, doing all the dirty work a defender is supposed to do."
The Brazilian's goal ensured that a successful week was capped off with a win as the 63-year-old's tenure got off to a winning start and it appeared the German's foundations were in place.
He added: "Ralf mentioned it in his interview, tempo, intensity, when you've got people in that central area it allows you to draw [opponents] in and they moved as a unit, it was good to see.
"It wasn't a vintage United performance in terms of expected goals only 0.9 but in terms of control of the game, Palace didn't really threaten too much."
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