United had began the weekend backside of the Premier League, however moved above Liverpool on an enormous night time for his or her new Dutch supervisor.
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford (L) shoots previous Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker (R) to rating their second aim in the course of the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on 22 August 2022. Picture: Paul ELLIS/AFP
MANCHESTER – Erik ten Hag secured his first win as Manchester United supervisor as targets from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford beat Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford on Monday.
United had began the weekend backside of the Premier League, however moved above Liverpool on an enormous night time for his or her new Dutch supervisor.
Liverpool’s anticipated title problem is fading quick with Jurgen Klopp’s males but to win three video games into the brand new season.
United followers started the night by marching on Old Trafford in protest on the decade of decline overseen by the membership’s house owners, the Glazer household.
A social media motion encouraging supporters to boycott the sport within the wake of an embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Brentford final weekend failed to materialise.
But even amid the jubilation of a primary league win over Liverpool since 2018, chants of “we want Glazers out” persevered all through the 90 minutes.
Ten Hag responded to the concession of 4 targets inside 35 minutes at Brentford by dropping Cristiano Ronaldo and captain Harry Maguire amongst 4 adjustments.
After changing into the primary United supervisor in additional than a century to lose his first two video games, the previous Ajax supervisor obtained the response he desired in an explosive opening half hour that rocked Liverpool again on their heels.
“We can talk about tactics but it is all about attitude,” mentioned Ten Hag.
Anthony Elanga ought to have opened the scoring when he curled off the bottom of the submit after two passes from Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes carved Liverpool large open.
Defensive disorganisation has been a repeated failing of Liverpool’s winless begin to the season and so they failed to be taught their lesson for the opening aim on 16 minutes.
A neat one-two between Elanga and Christian Eriksen opened up the Liverpool defence as soon as extra and when the ball was in the reduction of to Sancho, he left James Milner on the ground earlier than coolly slotting dwelling.
LIVERPOOL LACKING MIDFIELD OPTIONS
Milner bounced again up to confront Virgil Van Dijk for his function within the aim because the Dutch defender sat off Sancho.
“The start of the game was exactly what everyone expected, what United fans expected, they were after us,” mentioned Klopp.
“They started slightly more aggressive than us. After the goal, they could more play the game they wanted.”
Liverpool’s reluctance to refresh Klopp’s midfield choices will face extra scrutiny within the last days of the switch window.
With Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita out injured, the 36-year-old Milner confirmed his age and Klopp had valuable few choices to flip to on the bench with new 75 million euro (£64 million, $77 million) striker Darwin Nunez serving the primary of a three-match ban for being despatched off on his dwelling debut.
Liverpool’s lack of power in midfield was uncovered for United’s second aim as Jordan Henderson’s poor contact offered possession to Anthony Martial and his good by means of ball set Rashford free to rating his first aim since January.
Restoring Rashford’s confidence is among the many duties that also lie forward for Ten Hag.
But the England attacker appeared extra like his previous self and solely a advantageous save from Alisson low to his left denied Rashford his second and United’s third.
“For me it is about my mentality,” mentioned Rashford. “When I am happy and feel happy I will play well, score goals and help the team.”
United goalkeeper David de Gea’s error opened the floodgates at Brentford however the Spaniard additionally performed his half in an evening of redemption with a point-blank save from Luis Diaz.
Mohamed Salah’s header arrange a grandstand end 10 minutes from time, however United summoned a metal not often seen in current seasons to see out the closing phases and safe a much-needed increase for his or her new boss.
