Erik ten Hag defended his decision to start Marcus Rashford on the bench after Manchester United played out a goalless draw at Crystal Palace.
Rashford was introduced in the 61st minute at Selhurst Park, where midway through the first half Alejandro Garnacho – the man who had taken his starting place – hit the crossbar seconds before Bruno Fernandes did the same.
Palace grew into the contest after the break and remained in the hunt largely thanks to an excellent effort from goalkeeper Dean Henderson against his former club.
Ten Hag said: “There’s already some speculation and some pundits’ (remarks) and that’s crazy.
“As a person you are not OK when you bring such speculation if you don’t know what’s going on.
“This is just rotation. We have many games to cover and we have more than 11 players and we have to give all the players, if they perform, we will give them the chances.
“And finally we will find out, of course, the players who perform better and who will play more.
“This has nothing to do… I’m very happy with Marcus, with everything. With his defending part, offensive, he scores in this moment.
“He performs very good and so nothing to do (with him) that he was on the bench, just rotation.”
THAT double save, though 🤯
Well deserved, @AndreyOnana 👏#MUFC || #CRYMUN pic.twitter.com/2VKDWoGC5w
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 21, 2024
United dominated the first half, limiting the hosts to just one shot on target from Ebere Eze shortly before the break.
Palace regrouped for the second half, when Henderson made perhaps his best stop of the evening, a leaping save to deny Garnacho.
It was then Andre Onana’s turn to make the highlights package as he first denied Eddie Nketiah then substitute Ismaila Sarr’s follow-up from close range, a double save hailed by his manager as “brilliant”.
The contest was more eventful than the scoreline ultimately suggested, with six shots on target and 15 overall for the visitors to four and nine respectively from the hosts.
Ten Hag felt that “the only thing I can criticise is we were not clinical enough in the box, not decisive enough.”
But asked if, in retrospect, Rashford might have found the finishing touch on one of his side’s missed opportunities, the boss replied: “I have to say Amad (Diallo) is playing good, Garnacho, all the games so far, apart from maybe Liverpool, he has end product.
“We have to play them as well.”
Another afternoon of top support from you lot 👏🫶#CPFC pic.twitter.com/7ejhtA9yXd
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) September 21, 2024
Palace, who clinched a league double over United for the first time in their history last season, remain in search of their first win of the new campaign.
After losing to Brentford and West Ham, the Eagles have now drawn three times in a row.
Oliver Glasner demanded more bravery from his men during a half-time talk after he felt they were losing their “personality” in the opening period.
He said: “The first half was how we don’t want to play in any part of the game, out of possession, in possession, set plays.
“In the second half we switched the mindset just to play with more courage, and then we made more runs in behind and went more direct to their goal.
“(The first half) we were a bit too cautious, too scared of whatever, but it’s very positive we could switch this.
“When Crystal Palace plays Manchester United I think there are always times when Crystal Palace has to suffer, and we had to suffer in the first half.
“But there are moments to come back, and we had those moments today. I think also, to be honest, three points would have been too much today.”
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup debuts in USA, with a brand-new look. 32 top clubs will gather together to kick off the ultimate showdown among clubs. This edition brings you Group G preview, featuring Juventus FC (The Bianconeri of Serie A), Manchester City (The Sky Blues of the Premier League), Al Ain FC ( The Giants of UAE Pro League), Wydad Casablanca (The Powerhouses of Botola). European powerh...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Welcome Thomas Frank Good bye Ange Postecoglou Accurate This Levels #12 Deep Message… €230m lolPlease stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, NoContextChe1, originaltrollfootball)...
The Brazilian has signed a contract running until June 2030 following his move from Wolves.Matheus Cunha has been announced as a Manchester United playerCunha, 26, cost the Red Devils a stunning £62.5million from the West Midlands club.The forward will earn £200,000-a-week while at the club - making him the fourth highest earner in the squad.He has been pictured wearing the club's shirt ...
Napoli are reportedly targeting Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez for a summer move.The Reds broke their transfer record to sign Nunez from Benfica for £85million in 2022 but he is ready to leave Anfield after a lack of starting opportunities under Arne Slot.The 25-year-old scored seven times last season as Liverpool wrapped up the Premier League title and he is contracted until 2028. Saudi side...
SunSport exclusively revealed that Bradley Barcola is on Liverpool's radar in a blockbuster move.Bradley Barcola could be heading to Anfield this summerBarcola could be Mo Salah's long-term replacementWhile Viktor Gyokeres' rumoured strike and Jack Grealish's uncertain future have also hit the back pages.Our very own Will Pugh and Dean Scoggins share their thoughts on all the deals and speculation...
Darwin Nunez's Liverpool departure 'guaranteed'🚨🇺🇾 Darwin Nunez remains guaranteed exit at Liverpool this summer with Saudi Pro League clubs keen since January.Understand also Napoli have made contact in the recent days with Nunez on the shortlist and more talks to follow soon.Darwin, open to both Saudi-European options. pic.twitter.com/jT0O3gF0iu— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 12, ...
Tottenham's new head coach Thomas FrankTottenham have appointed former Brentford manager Thomas Frank as their new head coach, the club confirmed on Thursday.The Dane moves to north London on a deal until 2028, replacing Ange Postecoglou in the dugout after the Australian was sacked last Friday.Spurs paid a 310 million fee to release him from his Brentford contract, which had another two years lef...
Atletico Madrid near €20m deal for Theo HernandezAtletico Madrid are closing in on signing Milan full-back Theo Hernandez, reportedly raising their offer.The left-back has reportedly agreed to personal terms with the LaLiga club and moved closer to joining after Diego Simeone’s side raised their offer from €15 million (313m/$17m) to around €20 million (317m/$23m).Hernandez ...
Napoli plan raid for Liverpool's Nunez and Man Utd's Hojlund this summerNapoli are still pushing Liverpool for Darwin Nunez as well as Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund this summer.Napoli head coach Antonio Conte was reportedly convinced to stay at the side once he was told he would be backed by new signings this summer. One area of the pitch that needs to be strengthened is up front where ...
Gyokeres' agents meet with Arsenal directors ahead of summer moveSporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres is edging closer to a move to Arsenal as his agents held talks with the club.The 27-year-old is arguably the most in demand striker in the world at the moment after bagging 97 goals in 102 matches for Sporting since joining in the summer of 2023. He has been wanted by both Manchester United and...
- 1 Portugal vs France Prediction 12 June 2025
- 2 Bryan Mbeumo 'picks between Man Utd and Tottenham' as transfer agreement struck
- 3 England player ratings vs Andorra: Cole Palmer disappoints as Kane bails out Tuchel
- 4 Bayer Leverkusen interested in shock move for Jack Grealish
- 5 Brazil vs Paraguay Prediction 11 June 2025
- 6 Daily Laugh - Morata : Me again?
- 7 Harvey Elliott opens door to Liverpool exit
- 8 Tottenham players fuming! Spurs facing player revolt as stars left furious by decision to brutally sack Ange Postecoglou after Europa League win
- 9 Transfer news: Jadon Sancho announces move as Liverpool confirm deal
- 10 'We are responsible for the results' - England boss Thomas Tuchel gives verdict on Tottenham's decision to sack Ange Postecoglou despite Europa League glory