Win or be sacked Manchester United owners tell  Eric Ten Hag

Latest Man Utd lineup against Crystal Palace. Manchester United welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford for the second time in a matter of days.

United ran out comfortable winners in their Carabao Cup clash in midweek so Erik ten Hag will be looking for a similar result this afternoon.

Andre Onana starts in goal once again today with Diogo Dalot keeping his place at right-back in the absence of the injured Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Sofyan Amrabat keeps his place after impressing in midweek while Victor Lindelof is recalled to start alongside Raphael Varane in the middle of Man Utd’s defence. Harry Maguire is the man to drop out.

Casemiro starts once again in the holding midfield role for United with Mason Mount also keeping his spot in the starting eleven after impressing last time out. Bruno Fernandes is recalled to start after being rested in midweek.

Federico Pellistri retains his spot on the right wing with Marcus Rashford recalled on the left. Garnacho is unlucky to drop out after getting on the scoresheet in the League Cup game. Rasmus Hojlund is recalled to lead the line up front for Manchester United so Anthony Martial makes way despite scoring against Palace in midweek.

Here are the confirmed line-ups:

Man Utd

Onana, Dalot, Amrabat, Lindelof, Varane, Casemiro, Fernandes, Mount, Pellistri, Rashford, Hojlund.

Subs: Bayindir, Maguire, Martial, Eriksen, Garnacho, Donny, Evans, Mctominay, Hannibal

Crystal Palace

Johnstone – Ward, Guehi, Andersen, Mitchell – Doucoure, Hughes, Schlupp – Ayew, Eze, Mateta.

Subs: Matthews, Holding, Clyne, Ewiobei, Richards, Reidewald, Rak-Sakyi, Ozoh, Ola-Adebomi.

 

Three most expensive defenders

The world of football has evolved immensely over the decades, with clubs willing to splash massive amounts of cash to secure top talent. This surge in spending isn’t just reserved for goal-scoring forwards; defenders, too, are commanding eye-watering fees. Let’s delve into the records and highlight the most expensive defenders the football world has ever seen.

Topping the list is England international Harry Maguire. In 2019, Manchester United made headlines when they acquired Maguire from Leicester City for a staggering £80m. This move set a new precedent for defenders’ valuations and displayed United’s commitment to bolstering their backline. Maguire’s addition was seen as a vital piece to United’s defensive puzzle, aiming to bring stability and leadership.

However, Maguire’s record-holding price was nearly eclipsed in 2023 when Manchester City signed Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig for a sum of £77m.

As the second most expensive defender in football history, Gvardiol’s move emphasizes the increasing importance of a robust defence in the modern game. Manchester City’s willingness to invest such an amount reflects their trust in Gvardiol’s potential to be a cornerstone in their defensive strategies.

Close behind Gvardiol is the influential Dutch centre-back, Virgil van Dijk. Liverpool, in their quest for Premier League dominance in 2018, secured Van Dijk from Southampton for £76m. This acquisition was pivotal for Liverpool, as Van Dijk soon became a defensive stalwart, leading the team with his exceptional skills and game-reading ability. Many credit him as a transformative figure in Liverpool’s defence, guiding them to multiple titles.

Interestingly, the fourth spot is occupied by another player associated with Leicester City. Wesley Fofana, the promising French defender, was signed by Liverpool for £76.2m in the summer preceding this list. This slightly higher amount than Van Dijk, albeit marginal, indicates the inflationary trend in player valuations. Fofana’s move to Liverpool was seen as a strategic decision, with the club keen on having a robust defence to maintain their top-tier status.

In summation, these monumental transfers underscore a critical shift in football strategy. Clubs are now recognizing that a formidable defence is just as vital, if not more so, than a prolific attack. As the saying goes, “Offence wins games, but defence wins championships,” and these record-breaking transfers echo that sentiment. Only time will tell if more defenders will join this elite price bracket in the near future.