‘I always said’: Paul Merson says 2 Man Utd players will cost them Crystal Palace win title

A young and promising Manchester United player, whose past was marred by an unfortunate training ground altercation, is poised for a chance at redemption.

The stage is set for Tuesday night when Old Trafford hosts the third round of the Carabao Cup, with Manchester United taking on Crystal Palace. Last season’s Carabao Cup champions, United, enter the match on the back of a crucial 1-0 victory over Burnley. This triumph comes as a much-needed respite for Erik ten Hag’s side, who had faced setbacks in their previous three games and currently find themselves in ninth place in the Premier League.

Palace, currently in tenth place, is just a point and a position behind United. Despite the absence of key players such as Michael Olise and summer signings Matheus França and Jefferson Lerma due to injuries, Roy Hodgson’s squad displayed resilience by overcoming Plymouth 4-2 in the second round of the competition. Their comeback victory featured an Odsonne Édouard goal and a Jean-Philippe Mateta hat-trick.

Following a lackluster 0-0 draw against Fulham on Saturday, Hodgson expressed concerns about the club’s limited resources ahead of the Tuesday match, as injuries had taken a toll on the squad.

Similarly, Manchester United has had its share of injury challenges at the start of the season. However, the team’s spirits have been boosted by the return of Mason Mount and Harry Maguire to training.

Among those spotted training at Carrington was the young United talent, Dan Gore, an under-18 England international known for his attacking prowess. Gore had caught the eye of Erik ten Hag during preseason, but his name became more recognizable due to a historical training ground incident involving Anthony Martial.

In November of the previous year, with many of Ten Hag’s squad participating in the World Cup, the 18-year-old had the opportunity to train with the first team. However, things did not go as planned. Reports indicated that Gore delivered a robust challenge on Martial, despite explicit instructions against tackling established first-team players.

Tensions flared, leading to a furious reaction from the French star, who retaliated before they were separated. Martial promptly issued an apology, and Carrington’s tranquility was restored.

As Dan Gore readies himself for potential involvement in Tuesday’s cup clash, he carries the hopes of showcasing his football skills while leaving behind any remnants of the training ground incident that had marred his past.