Manchester United has made a solid start to the season, but it is disheartening to see events on the field overshadowed by the issue of racism off it.
Paul Pogba became the latest player to be the victim of racial abuse, when he was targeted on Twitter on Monday after missing a penalty in United's 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Marcus Rashford scored a penalty in the opening game against Chelsea, but the Frenchman took the responsibility himself against Wolves, only to see his effort saved.
The miss cost United the chance of winning the game and it had to settle for a 1-1 instead.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer urged Twitter to do more to eradicate racial abuse.
"The authorities have got to do something about it, you feel sorry for them [the abusers], they must have problems themselves," the United manager told reporters during his press conference on Friday.
"We need to protect individuals and protect people. When there are death threats and racism, it's serious allegations, serious incidents."
Several United players have come out to support Pogba on social media and Solskjaer insisted the Frenchman would not be affected by the abuse. The penalty miss was Pogba's fourth since he returned to United in the summer of 2016, but Solskjaer suggested he would not relieve the Frenchman of spot-kick duties.
"I'm sure you're going to see Paul Pogba score a pen for United again, we're practicing pens still and Marcus [Rashford] and Paul are still on them," he said.
⚽️ @LukeShaw23 ➡️ @JesseLingard ➡️ @MarcusRashford ➡️ @AnthonyMartial 🌟
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 21, 2019
What a way to bag your 50th #MUFC goal 😆 pic.twitter.com/8La2QhbyJ1
Aside from the penalty farrago, there were more encouraging signs for Solskjaer on Monday night, as his side controlled the first half. Anthony Martial scored for the second consecutive game and the high-pressing the Norwegian has been so eager to implement stifled Wolves. Even so, a lackluster spell early in the second half allowed the home side back into the game.
A return of four points in the first two games is satisfactory enough for United, who will be looking to make it two wins in two games at Old Trafford against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Palace is the only team in the league yet to score a goal, after drawing 0-0 against Everton and losing 1-0 to Sheffield United last week. If a lack of attacking edge will be a worry for Roy Hodgson, history paints an even more concerning picture as Palace has never won against United in 20 Premier League meetings.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of Saturday.

When and where is the game?
Manchester United hosts Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Saturday, August 24, with kick-off scheduled for 3 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET).
Palace has never won against United in the Premier League era, losing 16 of 20 meetings.
TV coverage
The game will be broadcast live on NBCSN.
Live stream
A live stream will be available via the NBC Sports website, NBC Sports Gold and the NBC Sports app. Live stream for selected games will also be available via fuboTV.
Form
United thrashed Chelsea 4-0 in the first game of the season and was held to a 1-1 draw away at Wolverhampton on Monday. Palace, meanwhile, lost 1-0 away against Sheffield United a week after drawing 0-0 against Everton.
Team news
Diogo Dalot has joined long-term absentees Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah in the treatment room for Manchester United, while Crystal Palace will be without Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins.
Odds
According to Oddschecker, United is a 9/25 favorite to win on Saturday, while the draw is at 83/20 and Palace is a 17/2 outsider.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Dan Cancian is currently a reporter for Newsweek based in London, England. Prior to joining Newsweek in January 2018, he was a news and business reporter at International Business Times UK. Dan has also written for The Guardian and The Observer.