A display of class and unrecognizable intensity by Manchester United saw goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford deliver a well-deserved 2-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford.
United endured a week of intense criticism after they battered Brentford 4-0 last weekend, but reacted in style ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s side and earned their first win over rivals. their bitter defenders since March 2018, and the first Erik ten Hag is United’s coach.
“I couldn’t believe what I just saw,” said former Man Utd defender Gary Neville, stunned. Monday Night Football. “I’m absolutely stunned. I don’t think tonight what I’ve seen can happen; I think the players have solidified what they do, week after week for months at the end of last season. and the beginning of this season.”
For once or not, this was a completely different United. They made it difficult for the visitors even before Sancho had time to pop his left foot in the box and get past the unsightly Alisson (16), and David de Gea failed to make a single save before half-time. .
Instead, United kept their promise early and doubled their advantage eight minutes into the second half, when at half-time Anthony Martial let Rashford beat Alisson in his near corner.
“Manchester United received a lot of criticism for their defense against Brentford last week and Liverpool will receive the same treatment after this.” Sports Sky’ Jamie Carragher about his old club.
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Mohamed Salah’s header offers belated hope for the visitors, with the score now 2-1.
The visitors finally rallied to equalize with 10 minutes remaining, as Mohamed Salah became the first player in Liverpool history to score 10 goals against United as he nodded after Fabio’s shot. Carvalho.
But the home side’s night of solid defense continued and saw them win their first win of the season, full of the statement of intent that Ten Hag is looking for from his new team.
“We can talk about tactics but it’s all about attitude,” said the winning manager Sports sky after full time. “There’s been communication, fighting against sensitivity and then you can see what they can achieve.
“I wanted a different approach and a different attitude and that’s what they bring on the pitch. It’s just the beginning. We can play with a lot more composure and a lot more danger. Be one. team, and there was a good spirit and that’s what we saw today.”
How Man Utd rejuvenated before Liverpool
Shouted by an Old Trafford crowd upon learning that their side needed their backing, United’s intensity was two poles apart from the team that had collapsed all too easily at Brentford nine days earlier.
Rashford’s speed worried Virgil Van Dijk before Anthony Elanga caught Bruno Fernandes’ precise pass but shot from close range when the ball went wide of the post.
United’s attacking tempo was relentless and after some nice one-touch coordination between Christian Eriksen and Anthony Elanga, Sancho was the coolest man at Old Trafford when he switched the ball to his left and sent it into the corner. unprotected by Liverpool.
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Marcus Rashford gave Manchester United a 2-0 lead over Liverpool, after keeping his composure in a one-on-one match against Alisson.
“You watch this great Liverpool team for the last three or four years, you don’t often see them like this – if at all,” is Neville’s damned assessment of the visitors’ start.
They improved from the start but not enough to test De Gea’s resolve before the break, and instead, came closest when Fernandes hit a corner straight into Lisandro Martinez’s goal.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane said: “United are there. “The biggest disappointment is that they only scored one goal.”
It’s not something that Keane and United will have to worry about for long. A heavy touch from Henderson fell for Martial, whose quick thinking freed Rashford from behind Alexander-Arnold.
The new No 10 confidently pushed past the visitors’ defence before slamming into Alisson’s box and demonstrating the individual importance of the goal with a clear celebration in front of the Stretford End.
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Jadon Sancho gives Manchester United the lead over Liverpool, after keeping his composure in front of goal.
Even as Liverpool then stepped up their defence still remained, and Rashford was allowed to go through three challenges before unleashing an effort that sank just short of Alisson’s crossbar from the edge of the area.
The Red Devils, who have scored in every Premier League game since December 2021, threatened to play late when Carvalho’s shot was saved by De Gea into Salah, whose task was simply to beat. Goalkeeper stuck with a shot near the post title.
But for all Liverpool’s pressing for an equalizer in the final 10 minutes, they never threatened to derail a special night for United and Ten Hag, with the pressure now shifting to Klopp’s side after failing to can win the first three matches in the league. in a decade.
What’s next?
Manchester United’s next task is a trip to Southampton at noon on Saturday. Erik ten Hag’s side will then travel to Leicester City on September 1, before hosting Arsenal three days later, in person. Sports sky.
Liverpool now face two home matches – the first against Bournemouth this Saturday; starts at 3pm, then meets Newcastle the following Wednesday; start at 8pm. The focus will then turn to the Merseyside derby against Everton in the kick-off game at noon on Saturday 3 September.
