PALACE suffered a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United in the latest match of their pre-season tour in Australia.

United raced into a three-goal lead, but Palace did get one back as Joel Ward netted with his head.

Harry Maguire was mercilessly booed by the Melbourne crowd during the opening stages of the match.

Just a week after manager Erik ten Hag confirmed the defender would retain the armband, the 29-year-old found himself coming under fire from sections of the crowd in Australia.

The England international appeared to win over supporters with an impressive showing and the boos subsided during a first half that saw Anthony Martial score in a third successive friendly.

There were 76,499 in attendance at the MCG, where Maguire’s every touch was jeered during the opening stages.

The United skipper showed impressive fortitude by responding with solid, composed defending that led to the abuse tapering off.

Those pantomime boos took attention away from some bright United play.

Jack Butland injured his hand when impressively denying Martial and substitute Palace goalkeeper Remi Matthews was soon picking the ball out of his net.

Tyrell Malacia looked bright on his first United start and played over to Diogo Dalot, who hooked a left-footed cross in for Martial to control and strike home from close range in the 17th minute.

Malcolm Ebiowei – a player United looked at in the summer – forced De Gea into a good save but Ten Hag’s side continued to be in the ascendancy.

There was a noticeably warm reaction aimed Maguire’s way after he fizzed a shot just wide before the break and the second half was just three minutes old when United scored a fine team goal.

Martial picked the ball out of the sky and laid off to Sancho, who played the Frenchman through with a defence-splitting pass. Martial beat Matthews to the ball and touched wide to substitute Donny van de Beek, whose cross was turned home by Rashford on the edge of the box.

Bruno Fernandes lashed over and fumed at Jordan Ayew after being on the receiving end of a poor challenge, before United scored another fine team goal.

The move started with De Gea and ended with Martial flicking on a Rashford pass for Sancho to race through and slot home in the 59th minute.

The offside flag denied Mateta a goal for Palace, but Ward’s header would soon beat De Gea from the corner that had come from the United goalkeeper denying Ademola Ola-Adebomi.

Substitute United defender Fish sent off for bringing down Victor Akinwale in the closing stages.

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