Man Utd 3 Crystal Palace 0: Red Devils enjoy breather from Prem struggles as they storm into Carabao Cup fourth round

ERIK TEN HAG MADE it very clear before this game how determined he is to defend the Carabao Cup.

This was a very comfortable and positive first step towards getting back down Wembley Way to do just that.

Manchester United ran out 3-0 winners against Crystal PalaceREX

GettyAlejandro Garnacho broke the deadlock in the 21st minute[/caption]

GETTYCasemiro doubled United’s lead with a free header six minutes later[/caption]

It was back in February when the boss celebrated with the trophy at Wembley after a 2-0 victory over Newcastle.

It was United’s first piece of silverware in six years and very welcome.

Of course, titles of greater import is the ultimate goal for the Dutch coach.

But this is a competition he takes seriously.

While he made seven changes to his side from the victory over Burnley on Saturday night it was still a strong side.

Goals from Alejandro Garnacho on 21 minutes and Casemiro with a header six minutes after that had them in cruise control by the break.

Crystal Palace also made seven changes but without the squad depth that Ten Hag can call on, the Eagles were easily downed.

Even Anthony Martial scored for United with a fine half-volleyed finish ten minutes after the break.

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There were so many positives from the night with Mason Mount back in action for 45 minutes, having been injured since the second game of the season.

The £60million buy operated freely as a number ten and had a fine first half.

Sofyan Amrabat was also starting his first game after arriving on loan from Fiorentina.

The midfielder was a surprise choice at left back where United are short with three players in that position injured.

It was not totally alien to him however having played there before under Ten Hag at Utrecht and he would move into midfield after the break.

Harry Maguire made his first start too and looked comfortable, though the back four was hardly stretched.

Not like Palace’s who had to cope with Facundo Pellistri, 21, and 19-year-old Garnacho in the mood to have fun.

Palace were hit by an early blow that will no doubt have had a bearing on the first goal.

ALAMYMason Mount was one United’s star first-half performers[/caption]

Dean Henderson was making his debut after a £20million move from Old Trafford after failing in his bid to secure the number one spot here.

But the thigh injury that kept him out for three months last season recurred when he cleared an early ball and he had to go off after 19 minutes.

Replacement Sam Johnstone’s first act was to pick the ball out of the back of the net just over a minute later.

Mount delivered a cross-field ball to Pellistri who tapped it into the path of Diogo Dalot on a charge to the byline.

The cutback was perfect for Garnacho to turn goalwards with an outstretched leg and Rob Holding on the line could not stop it.

Mount was in action again sliding Pellistri in for a chance five minutes later but Chris Richards’s outstretched leg denied him.

From Mount’s resulting corner, Casemiro powered in and rose above Jeffrey Schlupp to head home.

Martial had been largely anonymous in the first half before a fanbase that has long since grown tired of him.

The decision to bring him on as a 64th-minute sub for Rasmus Hojlund in the home defeat to Brighton was met with loud boos.

But there were cheers on this occasion when found by the Casemiro with a fine searching ball to the far post which the Frenchman despatched.

AFPErik ten Hag was more than happy with his troop’s display[/caption]

The hope is this might spring him into life, but we have been here before.

Palace did nearly get one back but after clocking up a clean sheet at Turf Moor on Saturday, Andre Onana was determined to get another.

His save with an outstretched boot from Jean-Philippe Mateta was top draw.

Jonny Evans came on in the second-half to a great ovation from the home crowd after his performance at Burnley.

He cruelly had a goal chalked out by VAR there when he headed home from a corner.

He rose highest again to meet another in the 71st minute here but this time goalkeeper Johnstone denied him.

Palace will be back here on Saturday with a stronger team, mind you so will United.

Nobody called up for this game did themselves any harm in their bids to stay in the team for that.

It has been a good response after those three defeats, getting a win at Turf Moor and now this.

Ten Hag said in his programme notes for this game:

“Pressure is part of life at Manchester United, for everyone involved in the club.

“The demands are never easy because the expectations are so high and everybody is watching.

“But you don’t wear this crest to have an easy life, you wear it because you are capable of handling the responsibility.”

The pressure has been eased, for now.