MANCHESTER UNITED suffered with a ghost from their past as two goals from Wilfried Zaha meant they had a losing start to the season.

The Red Devils kicked off their new Premier League campaign a week later than Crystal Palace and their lively opponents were full value for their 3-1 win.

Donny van de Beek's debut goal proved a small bright spark for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as his side lost an opening day fixture for the first time in six years.

Here's how SunSport's Joe Brophy rated the United performances.

David De Gea – 7/10

Looked sharp and nothing he could do for any of the goals.

Made some important first-half saves and was harshly penalised after a stunning penalty save, his first spot-kick save in the Prem since 2014, initially kept out Jordan Ayew.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah – 5/10

Failed to grab his chance deputising for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Offered very little in both defence and attack and was a bystander for most of the game. Booked.

Victor Lindelof – 3

Looked to be feeling the effects of United's short-pre-season the most as he was beaten too easily by Jeffrey Schlupp whose cross led to Palace's opener.

Struggled to deal with the pace of the away side and fluffed his lines after a corner had found him unmarked with the goal at his mercy.

Unfortunate to concede the penalty but was then spun once more for Zaha's second.

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Harry Maguire – 5

Anonymous for the majority of the match as United's captain failed to lead his shaky backline.

The England defender's lack of mobility was also targeted by Palace's frontline with partner Lindelof often left exposed on the counter.

Luke Shaw – 4

Guilty of losing Townsend for the opener and was given a torrid time by Palace's attack all evening.

His productivity in the final third was also lacking.

Scott McTominay – 5

Frustrating evening on a day the Scot would have been looking to set down a marker following Donny van de Beek's big-money arrival.

Tried to make things happen but cost Anthony Martial a golden first-half oppening with an overhit pass.

Paul Pogba – 5

Pre-season disrupted by testing postive for coronavirus so perhaps can be forgiven for looking off the pace.

Solskjaer will need the Frenchman to regain fitness fast on this display with Pogba struggling to influence proceedings with several lax passes.

Bruno Fernandes – 5

A far cry from the man who lit up Old Trafford upon his January arrival as the Portuguese seems to be feeling the effects of his grueling 2020 schedule.

Still an ever-willing runner and grafted the most out of United's midfield three but was missing his usual attacking spark.

Daniel James – 4

Thrust straight back in the side but seems to be completely devoid of confidence and could benefit from a loan away.

Had very little impact in the first-half and was hooked at the break.

Marcus Rashford – 5

Game passed him by and played no better than Dan James who was subbed at half-time.

Improved slightly after the break but still nowhere near his best.

Anthony Martial – 6

Wasn't helped by a lack of service as United's attacking players often left him isolated.

SUBS

Mason Greenwood (For Dan James 45') – 6

Solskjaer probably intended to give the 18-year-old a rest and take him out of the spotlight following his recent England debacle.

Yet United's showing saw the Norwegian chuck him on for the second half and Greenwood almost repaid his faith but fluffed a close-range header.

Donny van de Beek (For Paul Pogba 67') – 7

The Dutchman would have wanted a more positive result on his debut but individually couldn't have got off to a better start.

Assured finish to give United a glimmer of hope.

Odion Ighalo (For Fosu-Mensah 81') – N/A

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