Storm clouds part as United sweep Palace aside in stroll at Old Trafford

A UNITED staff member quipped the hurricane was now a stiff breeze.

-  SAMUEL LUCKHURST

As Britain braces for Storm Agnes, United have come through their own turbulent gusts.

Players, supporters and staff must yearn for nights as tranquil as this. It was so easy for United that Donny van de Beek came on.

United made more changes to their team than Crystal Palace but took this cup tie more seriously. For the first time this season, they recorded successive wins. The technical director Darren Fletcher just about maintained a stoic expression as he made his way back indoors for the interval.

United's lead was never in jeopardy and Anthony clinical Martial's half-volley boxed off the tie before the hour. The stylish midfielder Dan Gore received a debut on his 19th birthday and Palace were so defeatist there was gallows humour from their supporters in the 67th minute with a rendition of "We've had a shot".

One of the biggest cheers of the evening was reserved for a sliding tackle by Harry Maguire.

The League Cup is the only club competition where a place is reserved for Maguire and he performed dependably, intercepting a cross with the game goal-less. Gore too, generated audible appreciation for his commitment while Hannibal Mejbri had his hair ruffled by Erik ten Hag after another mature outing.

Ten Hag will hope the first 45 minutes signal the true beginning of Mason Mount in a United shirt. On his return from a 37-day absence with a muscular injury, Mount created four chances inside the first 27 minutes and United scored from two of them.