Manchester United took one step closer to securing Champions League football next season with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park this afternoon.

Marouane Fellaini scored a 78th-minute winner for the visitors after Juan Mata had seen his earlier penalty cancelled out by Jason Puncheon.

Here, Sports Mole looks at who stood out during an entertaining affair in the capital.

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CRYSTAL PALACE

Goal

Julian Speroni: At fault for the winning goal having coming out to claim Young's cross only to be blocked off by his own defender. Did make one fine save to tip a Blind effort onto the post in the first half and almost got to Mata's penalty too, but ultimately his mistake proved costly. (5/10)

Defence

Joel Ward: Given a torrid time by Young down the wing, being beaten time and time again. Both United goals came as a result of Young getting the better of Ward and delivering crosses into the box. (4/10)

Scott Dann: Gave away the first-half penalty with a handball, leaning in to Young's cross. Should have moved his feet better to cut it out at the near post. (5/10)

Damien Delaney: Partially to blame for the winner, although Falcao did give him a little nudge into Speroni. On the whole it was a solid display, particularly up against Falcao in the second half. (6/10)

Pape Souare: Untidy in possession in the first half but improved a lot in the second, helping to cause United problems down that wing with Bolasie and Puncheon. (6/10)

Midfield

Joe Ledley: Very quiet in the first half, failing to get involved in the match as United dominated possession. Was taken off at the break as a result. (5/10)

Mile Jedinak: Did a good job of limiting Fellaini's influence until the late winner. Also posed United one or two problems in their own penalty area. (6/10)

James McArthur: The most attacking of the midfield trio and offered Murray some great support. Always eager to get forward and showed a lot of intensity both on and off the ball. (7/10)

Attack

Yannick Bolasie: Started on the right but had more of an impact on the left in the second half. Gave Smalling the runaround at times and was a major part of Palace's improvement. (7/10)

Glenn Murray: Never stopped running and hounding the United defenders in a busy performance. Should have given Palace the lead from close range, but was denied by a truly world-class save from De Gea. (7/10)

Wilfried Zaha: Showed his former club a few flashes of what he can do, but not as bright as Bolasie on the opposite flank. Did have one decent effort in the second half, but was denied by De Gea. (6/10)

Substitutes

Jason Puncheon: Completely changed the game after coming on at half time. Brought great energy to his side and linked up well with Bolasie, Murray and co. Perhaps should have had a penalty, but did cap off an impressive cameo with a fine free kick, albeit via a slight deflection. (8/10)

Lee Chung-yong: Came on for Jedinak with six minutes remaining but had no time to change the course of the match. (6/10)

Marouane Chamakh: Introduced a minute after Lee and also had no time to make an impact. (6/10)

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MAN UTD

Goal

David de Gea: Where would United be without him? Could do little about the deflected free kick but made a number of good saves to keep his side in the match, including one from Murray that will go down as one of his best in an incredible season. (8/10)

Defence

Antonio Valencia: Never looked entirely comfortable, but was certainly better at dealing with Zaha in the first half than he was up against Bolasie in the second. (6/10)

Chris Smalling: Also came up against Bolasie on numerous occasions in the second half, and more often than not lost out to the winger. Struggled to cope with Palace's tempo and movement in the second half. (6/10)

Phil Jones: Shifted over to the left side of defence due to an injury to Shaw late in the first half and, considering that is not his position, he did a decent job up against Zaha. (6/10)

Luke Shaw: Yet another injury in what has been a frustrating campaign. Stretchered off with five minutes to go until half time having seemingly picked up a head injury. (6/10)

Midfield

Juan Mata: Got the opening goal from the penalty spot having been entrusted with the duties following recent misses for Rooney and Van Persie. Otherwise helped United control possession in the first half especially and was generally tidy on the ball. (7/10)

Ander Herrera: Neat and tidy in possession for the most part, but struggled when Palace really took the game to United in the second half. (6/10)

Daley Blind: Hit the post with a fine long-range effort early on, but was embarrassing in the wall for Puncheon's goal. Ducked out of the way, which allowed the ball to take a slight deflection off him on its way past De Gea. (6/10)

Marouane Fellaini: Popped up with the winner at the back post, although his job was made easier by Speroni's error. Struggled to get away from Jedinak for much of the match, but ultimately made the difference. (7/10)

Ashley Young: The best player on the park. Continually beat Ward down the left and provided the cross that led to both United goals. Palace simply could not deal with him today. (8/10)

Attack

Wayne Rooney: Battled against a thigh injury for much of the first half before eventually admitting defeat and going off at the interval. (5/10)

Substitutes

Jonny Evans: Replaced the injured Shaw and must have thought he was playing against a different side to the one he was watching from the bench when Palace came flying out of the blocks in the second half. (6/10)

Radamel Falcao: Came on for Rooney at half time and was virtually anonymous. Offered his side nothing up front and had no more influence on the game than an injured Rooney did in the first half. (5/10)

Paddy McNair: Another injury replacement, this time coming on for Smalling. Helped his side to hold on for the win during his six-minute cameo. (6/10)