Soccer

ANDRE ONANA couldn’t help but let out a laugh as his Manchester United team-mate took an unfortunate hit to his privates.Red Devils winger Amad Diallo was struck where no man wants to be during United’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.Andre Onana couldn’t help but laugh at Amad Diallo’s misfortune during Man Utd vs Crystal PalaceCredit: EPADiallo took a ball to his privates during the goalless drawCredit: RexThe young star took a blow below the belt in the second-half of the Premier League bout.A fierce strike from Palace midfielder Adam Wharton made an unwanted connection with Diallo’s crotch.The nasty knock would normally result in some sympathy from your team-mates, but Onana had other ideas.The United ‘keeper appeared amused by the incident instead, seemingly laughing at Diallo’s misfortune.READ MORE ON MAN UTDFans couldn’t quite believe what they were seeing, taking to social media to react.One wrote: “LMAO Onana laughing because Amad got hit in the balls”.While another commented: “Amad getting hit in the balls and Onana laughing. This team is so unserious.”And a third posted: “Onana is laughing because Amad got hit on the nuts!”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhat we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. Sky Sports commentator Rob Hawthorne even chimed in saying: “Onana thought it was funny”. Diallo will have been quick to forgive Onana for giggling at his awkward injury as the Man Utd No.1 bailed the Red Devils out of dropping all three points soon afterwards.Sir Alex Ferguson, 82, admits dementia fears as legendary Man Utd boss opens up on tragic death of wife CathyOnana made a spectacular double save that could have rivalled Arsenal shot-stopper David Raya’s penalty heroics on Thursday night.The Cameroon international denied a low effort from Eddie Nketiah before hopping straight back up to get his palms on a follow up from Ismaila Sarr.His opposite number Dean Henderson had been just as impressive throughout the 90 minutes too – helping Palace earn a point when facing a dominant visit from his former club United.Onana pulled off a stunning double save to keep a clean sheet at Selhurst ParkCredit: AFPOnana had a good day at Selhurst ParkCredit: Rex More

RASH decisions can cost you games, or even your job. Especially at Manchester United.Erik ten Hag would have had no reason to regret his call to drop in-form Marcus Rashford if his team had made their first-half domination count.Man Utd and Crystal Palace played out goalless draw at Selhurst ParkCredit: AFPNeither side were able to break the deadlockCredit: AlamyDean Henderson put in a superb performance to keep out his former sideCredit: AlamyAnd Rashford did little in his half an hour on the field to suggest he would have made much difference from the start.But it still felt strange for Ten Hag to have talked up the former England striker’s improvement in on-field performance and off-field behaviour, only to leave him out.And there was no avoiding the fact that this goalless draw was a step backwards for Rashord, his manager and the club at the end of an otherwise promising week.United had scored 10 goals without reply in seeing off Southampton in the Premier League and bullying Barnsley in the League Cup, with Rashford finding the net three times across the two games..READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYet having threatened to do the same to Palace, they were arguably lucky to escape with a point after their hosts had two great second-half chances to record their third league win in a row against Ten Hag’s men.For the opening 45 minutes, Oliver Glasner’s team were a shadow of the side that had completed a first league double over United for more than 50 years when they humbled them 4-0 at Selhurst Park in May.Yet Andre Onana had a to make an excellent double stop to deny Eddie Nketiah and substitute Ismaila Sarr in the second half.But the United goalkeeper should have had no chance when Sarr teed up Eberechi Eze, only for the England international to fire wide.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMarcus Rashford was left on the bench from the start by Erik ten HagCredit: AFPPalace remain winless but will be encouraged by their second-half display after Dean Henderson, a former United stopper, had made decent saves in the opening period.Yet Ten Hag could rightly complain that, Rashford or no Rashford, his side had the chances to win.’Obviously something that’s happened’ says Sky Sports pundit, 51, as Marcus Rashford left out of Man Utd starting XIMan Utd ratings vs Crystal Palace as Andre Onana saves the day for wasteful Red DevilsMANCHESTER UNITED were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace as they missed a flurry of first-half chances.Erik ten Hag shocked fans this afternoon when he left Marcus Rashford out of his starting XI.And the Red Devils failed to make a breakthrough – dropping two more points.Here, SunSport’s Jordan Davies delivers his Man Utd player ratings…ANDRE ONANA – 8/10Had one save to make just before half time – a comfortable one from Eberechi Eze.And then, a worldie double save to keep out Eddie Nketiah and Ismaila Sarr, rivalling the one made by Arsenal’s David Raya in mid-week.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 7One of United’s most consistent performers who continues to impress week by week. Strong in the tackle and great positioning to stop Palace counters.MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 7Lost an early duel with Jean-Philippe Mateta which put the Frenchman in but it was pulled back for a foul. Blamed his boots and changed them moments later.Unlucky with a brilliant header from a corner that was somehow kept out by Dean Henderson and made a superb last-ditch tackle to stop Eze in the second half.LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 6Another player who came close to scoring but for the brilliance of Henderson, swivelling and turning in the six-yard box with a stabbed effort.Lucky not to be sent off for a ridiculous two-footed lunge that narrowly avoided contact with Daichi Kamada.DIOGO DALOT – 7Played as a left winger for most of the first half, such was United’s dominance.Brilliant pick out only for Garnacho to hit the crossbar.KOBBIE MAINOO – 7Covered ground well and linked defence with attack. Drifted forward more in the second half without seriously threatening.An insane Cruyff piece of skill in the second half was worth the admission fee alone.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6Kept things ticking over and picked some nice passes at times but his lack of pace and physicality was evident.BRUNO FERNANDES – 7Tenacious in ensuring Palace’s midfield could not get a foothold in the game and grazed the top of the bar with a volley into the ground just before the half hour mark.Was United’s most creative player on the ball and should have had one goal to his name at least.AMAD DIALLO – 6Showed glimpses with some darting runs but never possessing the intent and aggression to force anything meaningful from it.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 7Had a personal battle with Henderson, one that he ultimately lost.Early chance to show it was the right call to start ahead of Marcus Rashford squandered – put through by Zirkzee but 1v1 effort palmed away by Henderson.Smacked the bar in a similar position from Dalot’s through ball and came close to knocking one in from close range.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 6Linked up well with Garnacho, dropping deep and slipping the winger in that should have led to the opener. Headed wide from a Diallo corner just before the break.Rightly subbed off on the hour mark as his influence waned.SUBS:MARCUS RASHFORD (ZIRKZEE, 61) – 6Did very little to convince Erik Ten Hag to throw him back into the starting XI, but was barely given the service either.MANUEL UGARTE (ERIKSEN, 76) – 6United certainly appear calmer and more solid with him at the base of their midfield.RASMUS HOJLUND (DIALLO, 76) – 6Still getting minutes back into his legs after returning from injury, but this is one of his more forgettable cameos.United looked determined to pick up where they had left off against Barnsley and to avoid the slow start of the previous weekend.But Palace did not seem to have paid attention to others lessons of that match, particularly the slackness at set-pieces that had cost Southampton dear.In the 10th minute, Joshua Zirkzee sent Garnacho clear but former United goalkeeper Dean Henderson made the first of three good saves in quick succession.Matthijs De Ligt, having broken his United duck at St Mary’s after a corner, had already been given a free header from one Christian Eriksen delivery.But the Dutchman was left all alone again as he met a similar back-post cross from the Dane, and Henderson kept out the header well with a leg.After yet another dead ball, Lisandro Martinez picked up on Marc Guehi’s half-clearance and again Henderson came to the rescue.Palace were curiously passive and passes were going regularly astray, much to the frustration of fans hoping to enjoy the late evening sunshine.It felt like a goal was coming, and one nearly did. Garnacho hit the crossbar with a first-time shot from Diogo Dalot’s pass and Bruno Fernandes’ follow-up bounced up off the pitch and on to pretty much the same part of the goalframe.Zirkzee was rightly disappointed in himself when he made first contact from an Eriksen corner but headed wide. Fernandes sent in a delicious cross but neither Zirkzee nor Garnacho could apply a chef’s kiss finish.Until a minute before half time, the closest Palace came to doing United any harm was when Adam Wharton smacked a cross hard into Amad’s gonads.Then Tyrick Mitchell cut the ball back perfectly for Eberechi Eze only for the England international to send his shot straight at Andre Onana.Lisandro Martinez avoided red for a rash challengeCredit: ReutersThe defender was shown yellow insteadCredit: ReutersGlasner took action, making a double change at half time to beef up his midfield and replace the ineffectual Jean-Philippe Mateta.Almost immediately Eze burst clear from substitute Ismaila Sarr’s flick but De Ligt made a timely block.A more even game ensued and Fernandes fired wide when well placed.Glasner swung between throwing a drink down in his technical area in disgust and waving his arms in frantic encouragement as his side tried to give their fans something to enjoy.United had lost impetus so Ten Hag summoned Rashford just after the hour, replacing Zirkzee up top.Garnacho drew another decent stop from Henderson with a shot from distance.If Martinez’s bizarre two-footed leaping challenge on Daichi Kamada had made any sort of contact, he would have be shown more than a yellow card.Then Onana denied Palace an unlikely opener. It wasn’t quite as heroic as David Raya’s double save for Arsenal after a penalty in Atalanta, but after keeping out Eddie Nketiah’s initial shot, the United ‘keeper did brilliantly to throw himself in the way of Sarr’s follow-up.The visitors claimed a penalty for handball at the other end, but to no avail.And then came Eze’s second great opportunity to punish United for their lack of cutting edge.A return pass from Sarr teed him up perfectly, but the Palace No 10 failed even to hit the target.Ten Hag sent on Manuel Ugarte and fit-again Rasmus Hojlund.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe changes meant Rashford taking up his third position of the game – from bench to centre forward to left wing.You could say he made pretty much the same impact from each, so maybe Ten Hag was right.Andre Onana pulled off a spectacular double save to keep the scores levelCredit: AFP More