The Ralf Rangnick era began with a win thanks to Fred's second-half goal and there was a clear shift in the Manchester United approach.
Michael Carrick steadied the ship as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led the Reds into choppy water which led to the decision to sack him.
Rangnick's delay in taking charge as a result of work permit issues meant he oversaw just one training session with his United side before facing Crystal Palace.
But his small impact has already made for change as pointed out in the statistics following the win over Crystal Palace.
The Reds won possession in the final third 12 times, at least five more occasions than they managed in any other Premier League fixture this season, Opta revealed.
The change in approach saw a 4-2-2-2 formation deployed by the German fulfilling the goal he set out in his first press conference as the Reds controlled the midfield and wrapped up just their third clean sheet of the season.
It sparked a change in how United set up and reduced Crystal Palace to just one golden opportunity, which was squandered by Jordan Ayew.
Their previous best came in the 4-1 win over Newcastle United in September but the showing against the Eagles illustrated a sizeable change and a positive prospect for the season ahead.
"The control was all in the centre of the pitch, straight from the off really," Micah 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."
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