Soccer

MANCHESTER UNITED fans were delighted to see some tactical tweaks during the first half of the Red Devils’ goalless draw with Crystal Palace.United fans have been calling for changes on the pitch after a fairly dismal start to the season – and Erik ten Hag may be listening.Erik ten Hag made some noticeable changes to his side’s setup in the first half against Crystal PalaceCredit: APTen Hag has been stubborn with his tactics since arriving at Old Trafford in 2022, but has been able to point at his two trophies in as many seasons to justify his decisions.However, after two losses in their opening four games in the Premier League this term, the Dutchman has had a tinker with his side’s setup.Most notably, Ten Hag appeared to instruct Diogo Dalot to make a change to his usual role at left-back.Instead of playing it as a traditional full-back and dominating the flanks, Dalot was drifting into midfield and inverting to help out in central areas. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe role, used by other teams such as Arsenal and Man City, helped Dalot to have more of an impact on the game with fans claiming that the Potuguese defender was “like a new signing”.Delighted supporters gushed about the tweak on social media, with one writing: “I’m crying, never seen Dalot invert this much. He’s legit playing alongside Mainoo”.Another added: “Inverted Dalot, like a new signing”.A third seemed in shock, asking: “Is Ten Hag inverting Dalot?!”Most read in FootballDiogo Dalot was given a different role in the first half against Crystal PalaceCredit: GettyThe full-back was inverting much moreCredit: Sky SportsDalot’s touch map for the first half shows how much he tucked into the middle for the pitchBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd a fourth gushed: “Dalot world class, does anyone disagree anymore?”Dalot’s role wasn’t the only change made by Ten Hag either.’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.The former Ajax man appeared to instruct his entire back line to step further up and play a much higher line that they usually do.United’s deeper line often gives teams plenty of space to play in, but the new look tactic restricted Crystal Palace to very little space inbetween the lines.That was emphasised by the fact the Eagles, who had the likes of Eddie Nketiah, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ebere Eze playing up top, were only able to have one shot on target in the first half.Of course, United were unable to find the back of the net either in the opening 45 minutes but looked the better of the two sides.Palace grew into the game in the second half, stopping United from leaning into their new tactics quite as much.Spectacular saves from both Andre Onana and Dean Henderson meant no side was leaving with all three points and the spoils were shared instead.But United fans will have been buoyed by the dominance they saw in the first half.Man Utd played a high defensive line during the first half against PalaceTheir tactics restricted the Eagles to very little in the first 45 minutesUnited ultimately had to settle for a point after struggling to take their chances up the other endCredit: PA More

RESIDENTS living near Crystal Palace’s training ground have described the “chaos” the facilities cause in the local area.Locals to the Premier League club’s training pitches are sick of the constant traffic and are worried about accidents happening in the future.Locals living by Crystal Palace’s training ground have complained of the ‘chaos’ the facility causesCredit: WWW.CPFC.CO.UKThe training ground is used by Palace’s first team and their academy squadsCredit: WWW.CPFC.CO.UKThe Palace first team and their academy squads use the grounds which cover a whopping 50 acres just off Copers Cope Road in Beckenham.Anthony, who has lived on the south-east London street for 14 years, complained of “arguing” and traffic issues when speaking to News Shopper.The 54-year-old, who didn’t give a surname, said: “The facility is good and the people who work there are nice but there is a big problem with the traffic.”For most of us that is the biggest issue because when that is bad it’s absolute chaos.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“There are horns honking and people arguing. Kids are always running across the street to get to their parents.”It is really dangerous. When there is a tournament on all the parents gather outside my door.”Anthony also told of “non-stop construction” at the training ground causing noise disturbances for himself and his neighbours. Anthony isn’t the only resident that has grown tired of cars from the training ground causing problems either.Most read in FootballResidents on Copers Cope Road have to deal with heavy traffic and loads of parked carsCredit: GOOGLE MAPSBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSCarol Sulivan, who has lived on the street for 25 years, claimed she didn’t use to be able to park on her own driveway before parking restrictions were put in place by the local council.However, she is still unhappy with the amount of cars piling up on the street and is worried about young children and wildlife as a result of the road becoming “a racetrack”.Living Next to a Premier League Training Ground: Nightmare or Not?She fumed: “The parents park on either side of the road in big SUVs to drop their kids off and people can’t see anything.“This road is a racetrack. I really worry about the youngsters. I have objected to them before because I am really worried about the local wildlife.“The road is often part of a bus route, and the buses find it really hard to get down here.“I just wish the club would let parents use their car park so they wouldn’t have to come out here.”The cars aren’t just causing annoyance, but could lead to accidents in the future too.You get wannabe boy racers. Dogs and cats have been killed along here.There have been some really horrific accidents.Howard KaniniNews ShopperAnd one local, Howard Kanini, has explained that “horrific accidents” have already occurred with pets being killed by reckless driving.The decorating consultant, who has worked on a number of the houses on the road, told News Shopper: “It is just constant. It is all a nuisance. The council has taken away a lot of parking bays.“You get wannabe boy racers. Dogs and cats have been killed along here.“There have been some really horrific accidents.”Those living on the road have also expressed concern over plans to erect new floodlights for the training facilities.As if no parking, dangerous driving and exessive noise wasn’t enough – the residents are now worried about light pollution keeping them up at night.The new floodlights, which Crystal Palace claim would only be used to illuminate their training pitches, will stand at some 21-metres tall.Locals have united in their displeasure at the approved plans for the the lights with concerns about bedroom windows facing towards the pitches at night.A spokesperson from the Eagles has said: “We communicate directly with Copers Cope Road residents through a WhatsApp group and respond promptly to any concerns as we take our responsibilities to be a good neighbour very seriously.”We manage any traffic or parking issues pro-actively and can reassure residents that floodlights will only illuminate the pitches.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We are proud of our role in the community, having invested more than £30 million in world-class Academy facilities for boys and girls, which also provide significant local community and charitable use through the Palace for Life Foundation.”The final construction phase of the site is under way, and we believe our investment has improved the aesthetics and security of the site immeasurably, which was previously very run-down and used by multiple businesses with no security, no traffic management and poor upkeep.”Palace are planning on adding four 21-metre floodlights to illuminate their training pitchesCredit: WWW.CPFC.CO.UK More