Mount and Zirkzee Fire Manchester United to Comeback Win at Selhurst Park

Manchester United finally found some relief on a freezing night in South London, coming from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2–1 on Sunday. Joshua Zirkzee ended his long wait for a Premier League goal, and Mason Mount struck the winner as Ruben Amorim’s side snapped a four-game winless run.

United trailed at the break after Jean-Philippe Mateta buried a retaken penalty, but Zirkzee and Mount turned the game around to deliver the club’s first league win since October.

Zirkzee Breaks the Curse

For Zirkzee, the equaliser felt like a weight off his shoulders. The Dutch striker hadn’t scored a Premier League goal in almost a year. His last coming against Everton back in December 2024. The long drought, combined with a £36 million price tag, turned him into an easy target for critics.

He arrived in England as a rising star. Injuries, patchy form, and eight goal-less appearances later, the narrative shifted. But on the 54-minute mark at Selhurst Park, he finally flipped the script.

Bruno Fernandes floated a free-kick into the box. Zirkzee took it on his chest, composed himself, and blasted a stunning finish across Dean Henderson from a tight angle. It was a moment United badly needed.

Mount Steps Up

Mount has had his own battles. Injuries and inconsistency followed him from Chelsea, and this strike was only his second of the season. But it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Nine minutes after Zirkzee’s goal, Fernandes nudged a free-kick toward Mount. He stepped up and drove a low, skidding shot under the Palace wall and past Henderson from 20 yards. Simple, sharp, decisive, and enough to win the game.

Palace Start Strong, United Hit Back

Before United’s comeback, the night looked grim. Casemiro missed a golden chance inside the opening minute. Crystal Palace responded with pressure of their own. Mateta wasted a clear opportunity, then Daichi Kamada forced Senne Lammens into a tough low save. Yeremy Pino’s effort soon after required a desperate block from Leny Yoro.

Palace broke through in the 36th minute, with drama. Yoro brought down Mateta in the box. The striker scored the penalty, but VAR spotted a double-touch. Under this season’s updated rules, accidental double-touches don’t cancel the goal; the penalty is retaken instead. Mateta kept his nerve and buried it again.

Palace, unbeaten at Selhurst Park in the Premier League since February, had control. United looked flat and uninspired. Then the game flipped.

Much-Needed Relief for Amorim

After the embarrassment of losing to 10-man Everton earlier in the week, Amorim pushed for a reaction and finally got one. United showed fight, something they have lacked this season, and closed out the final stages with discipline.

The win doesn’t fix everything, but it gives United breathing room, confidence, and a rare moment of calm after months of turbulence. And for two players who have carried heavy criticism, Zirkzee and Mount, it felt like a night where the weight finally shifted.