Ibrahimovic's star performance leads United to late victory over Palace

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s enduring predatory instincts rescued Manchester United, seizing a late opportunity to secure a 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace with his 13^th goal of the season.

Ibrahimovic netted the winner in the 88^th-minute from a tight angle after Paul Pogba slickly threaded the ball through to the 35-year-old striker.

“I told him England is not the best place for a holiday for a rich guy,” United manager Jose Mourinho said of the Swede, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain in July.

“You come to England for the most difficult league and to prove yourself. It was a decision that was based on that. It’s not just about his goals. It’s his leadership, motivation.”

And at the final whistle, Mourinho went over to embrace Ibrahimovic and Pogba, who had slotted United in front on the stroke of halftime, only for James McAthur to level after the break.

Thanks to Ibrahimovic, Mourinho has consecutive wins in the league for the first time since August to keep United three points behind fifth-place Tottenham.

Palace is only three points above the relegation zone after one win in 10 matches, perilous form for manager Alan Pardew who has spoken of his job insecurity in recent weeks. Palace was gifting United space and possession for much of the first half, rarely breaking out of its own half.

What United lacked as Wayne Rooney made his first league start in a month was a significant threat up front but the captain was coming closest. A header from Rooney was off target and the striker’s shot on the turn was repelled by goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

United was fortunate to remain with 11 men after Marcos Rojo’s two-footed challenge on former Old Trafford winger Wilfried Zaha. The defender escaped with a yellow card.

“He’s an aggressive, clean player,” Mourinho said, “probably playing the best football of his career.”

It’s not the best from Palace this season. In the second minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half, Palace was punished by its inability to defend a set-piece but the hosts had legitimate grievances on two counts.

Ibrahimovic initially appeared to chest down Juan Mata’s free kick into the path of Pogba. Replays, though, indicated that Ibrahimovic’s hand helped the ball along and Pogba was in an offside position when he turned the ball past Hennessey.

The home fans were furious, jeering referee Craig Pawson at the interval. The players drew on the anger.

Joe Ledley, a halftime replacement for Mathieu Flamini, immediately came close to leveling. It was a sign of the threat, missing for so much of the first half from Palace.

The first significant contribution from United goalkeeper David de Gea was a save at full stretch to turn McAthur’s shot over. The leveler was stylish. Damien Delaney received the ball from Joel Ward, and a back-heeled flick-on enabled McArthur to slot past De Gea in the 66^th minute.

United had a quick chance to regain the lead when Rooney’s shot required a finger-tip save from Hennessey to keep the ball out the net.

And if United was fortunate to benefit from refereeing decisions in the first half, the fortunes were now reversed.  From the corner after Hennessey’s save, Ledley raised an arm to block the ball. Pawson was surrounded by United players but no penalty was awarded.

Mata did soon have the ball in the net but he was harshly adjudged to be offside after being set up by a downward header from Rojo. Ibrahimovic’s late intervention ensured United left south London relieved rather than furious.