Soccer

MANCHESTER UNITED legend Gary Neville has doubled down on his Premier League title prediction.The 2024-25 campaign is in full swing, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal making up the top three.Gary Neville has named the team he thinks will win the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyNeville thinks it could be ‘one season too far’ for CityCredit: PAArsenal have been tipped to win the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyWith six games played, the Reds currently sit top, one point ahead of their two rivals.However, Neville is not convinced Arne Slot’s side will go all the way.Instead he believes Arsenal will take the Premier League title for the first time in 21 years.Speaking to NBC Sports, the ex-Man Utd star explained: “I nominated Arsenal at the start of the season to win the league. I do think they are getting closer.Read More in Football”They will win the league this season, not because of what happened in the last week with Rodri.”I just feel that this could be one season too far for Manchester City.”But look, it’s Pep Guardiola. I think it really seems like he is up for the fight and he is actually taking Mikel Arteta on now in press conferences which is great to see for us.”City were hit with a huge setback last week when star midfielder Rodri suffered a season-ending ACL injury.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSPep Guardiola said: “He had surgery this morning, ACL and some meniscus.”Next season he will be here. This season is over [for him]. It is what it is.Gary Neville suggests drastic rule change to spice up Premier League that would allow teams to win an extra point “Unfortunately, we got the worst [news] but it is what it is at this level. Sometimes, unfortunately, it happens.”We are just there to support him and [help him make a] good recovery, step by step, and move forward.”What he gives us, we don’t have a similar player but the other players altogether can replace what Rodri has given since arriving here with us.”We will have to do it as a team and find a way to play a lot of matches without an important player for us.”We are stronger with him and stronger with [Nathan] Ake and [Oscar] Bobb and Kevin [De Bruyne], but that is what it is. We don’t want it but it is football.”As a club we have magnificent players and we will find a solution.”Man City and Arsenal are the only two teams yet to taste defeat in the Premier League this season.Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25. More

MANCHESTER UNITED were thrashed 3-0 by Tottenham with Erik Ten Hag’s men run ragged for most of Sunday afternoon.The under-fire boss got the vote of confidence over the summer and signed a new contract – but after just six Premier League games into the new season, he is once again facing the sack.Erik ten Hag is in danger of losing his jobCredit: ReutersDiogo Dalot made an unforgivable errorCredit: RexSunSport’s Dean Scoggins breaks down where it all went wrong for UnitedSpurs carved the Red Devils open for the first time after just three minutes when Micky van de Ven’s stunning run set Brennan Johnson up for a tap-in.And it proved a sign of things to come as United’s tactics proved disastrous. Despite being down to ten men, there were huge red flags and there might be no way back for Ten Hag – or Diogo Dalot.Poor pressingMan Utd defend in a 4-4-2 shape but get the system horribly wrong.READ MORE ON MAN UTDTheir defensive lines are so far apart and Rodrigo Bentancur had a field day from kick off.The two that lead United’s press put no pressure on the ball and Tottenham could find a man in midfield to start attacks with ease.Bentancur had the freedom of Old Trafford and gave Spurs a numerical advantage in the centre of the park as Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte were occupied by Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.Bruno Fernandes, while he was on the pitch, then started chasing the ball and left Pedro Porro unmarked. It was shambolic.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSurely, he should have dropped deeper to go 3 vs 3 in midfield?Either the tactics are wrong or the players are not carrying them out properly – either way it is bad for Ten Hag.Bentancur had acres of spaces in the midfieldUnited’s midfield was torn apartMan Utd manager Erik ten Hag speaks after his side’s 3-0 Premier League loss at home to Tottenham Ugarte’s nightmare Spurs attack using the half spaces – between the centre and the wings.But United did not block these corridors effectively and new boy Ugarte – brought in to bring some stability – struggled against Maddison and looked unsure where he needed to be.They were also pressed relentlessly as Ange Postecoglou’s side had triggers for when to close down – if Dominic Solanke can get after the ball, the whole team squeezes with him.Spurs showed Man Utd how to pressThey forced Man Utd into giving the ball away – they had no patterns of play and did not know how to get outHorror mistakesVan de Ven’s run is exceptional – but he is allowed to go driving into that half-space corridor.Noussair Mazraoui is sold a dummy by Timo Werner’s run and Ugarte does not come across in time.Matthijs de Ligt fails to cut off the marauding run as Solanke cleverly drags Lisandro Martinez out of position to give Johnson space for the tap-in at the far post.But Dalot must hang his head in shame. As Van de Ven sets off, he is level with the eventual goalscorer on the half-way line on the opposite flank.Yet by the time the ball goes into the back of the net, Dalot is about ten yards behind Johnson.He switches off and gives up – it cannot be a lack of pace given the size of the gap – and is already apologising seemingly before it becomes 1-0.An unforgivable lack of discipline and effort, fans in the Stretford End could be forgiven for not wanting to see last season’s player of the year again.Dalot is only just behind Johnson as Spurs come forwardDalot ends up miles behind him and is already apologising as the ball goes inKulusevski’s geniusInsanely fit Kulusevski covers so much ground and against Man Utd was getting close to Solanke to support him.With Ugarte and Mainoo already occupied, the Swedish midfielder drifted inside and gave them another headache.His incredible stats show he created NINE chances during the game – four more than any United player has managed IN TOTAL at Old Trafford this season.It further underlined how United failed to get a grip in Sunday’s mauling.Kulusevski drifted inside and caused problemsDamming stats show Kulusevski ran riot and United are not creating chances at homeOnana keeps the score downFrom Ten Hag’s perspective, thankfully Werner played instead of Heung-min Son or it could have been 6 or 7.The ex-Chelsea man missed several huge chances – but Onana should get credit for the saves he made.READ MORE SUN STORIESWerner has lost confidence in his finishing and the keeper charged out quickly when he was through on goal before stopping to narrow the angle down and make the save.A solitary positive on a bleak day for the United flops and their manager, who appear to be completely out of sync and out of ideas. Andre Onana kept the score down with a couple of big savesCredit: GettyMan Utd ratings vs TottenhamMANCHESTER UNITED suffered a 3-0 thrashing against Tottenham at Old Trafford.Captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the first half for fouling James Maddison, forcing Erik Ten Hag’s side to play with 10 men against Ange Postecoglou’s team.After back-to-back draws against Crystal Palace and FC Twente fans hoped United would redeem themselves against Spurs.However, the match at Old Trafford quickly turned sour. Brennan Johnson scored early and things worsened when Fernandes was sent off allowing Spurs to extend their lead to 3-0.And here is how SunSports Charlie Wyett rated the Manchester United stars.Andre Onana – 5Stood his ground to deliver a good save from Timo Werner who was clean through – no chance for either goal.Noussair Mazraoui – 5First in the refs’ book for chopping down Destiny Udogie. Could also have blocked Micky van de Ven for the goal. Just watched Solanke make it 3-0.Matthijs de Ligt – 4Shocking first half. Failed to cut out the cross from Micky van de Ven which led to the first goal.Lisandro Martinez – 5Switched off for the Spurs goal and was drawn to the ball and Johnson was left unmarked.Diogo Dalot – 5Gave the ball away in dangerous areas and struggled against Johnson.Manuel Ugarte – 5Suffered a stinker and was lucky to last until the 73rd minute.Kobbie Mainoo – 5Not one of his better performances and was taken off just before half-time following Fernandes’ sending-off.Marcus Rashford – 5Over-ran the ball for Tottenham’s first. Way off the pace.Bruno Fernandes – 4Arguably the worst captain in United’s history. Deserved red card for his challenge on James Maddison.Alejandro Garnacho – 6Had United’s only chance in the first half but hit the outside of the post. Improved in the second half.Joshua Zirkzee – 5Looked completely lost up front – threatening to be another poor Erik ten Hag signing. Replaced at half-time.Subs:Mount (for Mainoo 45)  5, Casemiro (for Zirkzee 46) 7, Hojlund (for Rashford 73) 5, Eriksen (for Ugarte 73) 5. More