Romelu Lukaku ended a nine-match goal drought with a pair of goals as a depleted Manchester United beat Crystal Palace 3-1 to secure a club-record eighth successive away victory across all competitions.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was without a host of first-team regulars due to injuries, but Lukaku stepped up having been given a rare opportunity to lead the line, his double playing a part in downing a spirited Palace side.

United were looking to get back to winning ways after the 0-0 draw against Liverpool over the weekend but were coming up against a Palace side who were in good form.

After an even start to the game, United grabbed the opener in the 33rd minute after Luke Shaw went on a mazy run before teeing up Lukaku, the Belgian making no mistake with his strike as he picked out the bottom corner.

Solskjaer’s men then doubled their lead just after the break as Lukaku got his second with a back post header.

It didn’t, however, take the home side to hit back as Joel Ward got on the end of a cross and header past David De Gea in the United goal to change the complexion of the game.

Palace threw men forward in search of an equaliser but the Red Devils wrapped up the three points when Ashley Young finished from a tight angle with seven minutes to play.

United are still just a point behind fourth-placed Arsenal, who thrashed Bournemouth 5-1.