Manchester United cruised into the Carabao Cup fourth round with a comfortable victory over Crystal Palace in their all-Premier League encounter at Old Trafford.
First-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Casemiro set United on their way to a place in the last 16, with the Brazilian providing the cross for Anthony Martial's clinical first-time effort 10 minutes after the restart.
Having faced various forms of chaos in the past few weeks, this was the kind of straightforward night United manager Erik ten Hag must have longed for as his side completed the biggest win of a season in which they have struggled so far.
Ten Hag was at least able to integrate to an extent some key pieces of his United puzzle.
The Carabao Cup already gave Ten Hag his best day as Man United's manager when he won it last season, and he will hope that the start of the trophy defence can trigger a turnaround in fortunes for a struggling United side this season.
Palace will be back at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday, the first of five United home games before the end of October. With five of United's next six games in all competitions at Old Trafford, now is the time for Ten Hag and his players to steady the ship if they are going to do it all.
United ended a run of three straight defeats at Burnley on Saturday, winning 1-0 in league play, but there were still spells of vulnerability at Turf Moor.
Nathaniel Clyne blasted a rare effort high into the stands midway through the second half, the travelling Palace fans in the corner of the stadium began singing, "We've had a shot, we've had a shot."
That victory came after a run of three straight defeats - and four in five games - either side of the international break.
"It was a good night, we played quite well and dominated the game," he said.
"If you don't win, of course there is frustration and disappointment and the mood is then dropping. But the spirit was always good, the togetherness was there and is there - you could see that today.
"We made a step forward at Burnley with how we defended, the togetherness and today on the ball we made another step.
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