An unrecognizable performance of class and intensity for Manchester United gave Liverpool a 2–1 victory, with goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford.
United have endured a week of heavy criticism after suffering a 4-0 blowout at Brentford last weekend, but have leapfrogged Jürgen Klopp’s side to seal their first league win against bitter rivals since March 2018. He responded in style to earn his first victory and Erik ten Haag’s first victory as United manager. .
“I can’t believe what I just saw,” said a stunned former Manchester United defender Gary Neville. monday night football“I’m completely dumbfounded. I didn’t think what I saw tonight was possible. At the end of last season and the beginning of the season, the players have been working week after week, week after week, for months. I thought it solidified what they were doing this season.”
One-off or not, this was another United. was rattling.
Instead, United kept their early commitments and doubled their advantage eight minutes into the second period. Anthony Martial arrived at half-time and left Rashford free to beat Alisson near post.
“Manchester United received a lot of criticism for their defense at Brentford last week and Liverpool should get exactly the same treatment after this.” sky sports Jamie Carragher talks about his old club
The away side eventually rallied as Mohamed Salah nodded off a rebound from Fabio Carvalho’s shot with ten minutes remaining to become the first Liverpool player to score 10 goals against United.
However, the hosts’ tenacious defensive night continued, earning their first victory of the season and showing the gesture Ten Hag were looking for in a new team.
‘We can talk about tactics, but it’s a question of attitude’, said the winning coach sky sports After full time. “There is communication, there is fighting spirit and you can see what they can achieve.
“I wanted a different approach and a different attitude. That’s what they brought to the pitch. This is just the beginning. We want to be calmer and play with more danger. Be a team and have a good spirit, that’s what we saw today.”
How a rejuvenated Manchester United overwhelmed Liverpool
United’s intensity was in stark contrast to the side that fell apart easily against Brentford nine days earlier.
Rashford’s pace had already troubled Virgil van Dijk, but Anthony Elanga caught a fine square pass from Bruno Fernandes and slammed a clean shot into the post with five minutes to go.
The tempo of United’s attack was relentless and after a fantastic one-touch link-up between Christian Eriksen and Elanga, Sancho was the coolest man at Old Trafford, switching the ball to the left to open an unprotected opening in the Liverpool net. I put it in the corner.
“When you look at this great Liverpool team in the last three or four years, you don’t get to see it like this very often, if ever.”
They improved from a shocking start, but it wasn’t enough to test De Gea’s determination before the break.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane said at half-time: “United are ready.
It wasn’t something Keane and United had to worry about for long. A strong touch from Henderson landed on Martial, who made a quick decision to put Rashford behind Alexander-Arnold.
The newly-confident No. 10 slipped past the visitors’ backline, slotted the ball inside Alisson’s near post and delivered a powerful congratulations in front of the Stretford end, highlighting the importance of a personal goal. showed.
Even as Liverpool moved forward, defensive woes remained and Rashford was allowed to survive three challenges before making a dipping effort from the edge of the area just over Alisson’s bar.
The Reds, who have scored in every Premier League match since December 2021, threatened to make it a game when Carvalho’s shot was palmed out to Salah by De Gea. Post header.
But despite Liverpool’s pressure to equalize in the final ten minutes, it never failed to derail a special night between United and Ten Hag. After failing to win for the first time in his first three league games, the pressure shifted to Klopp’s side. in 10 years.
Cara: Liverpool defense ’embarrassing’
Jamie Carragher teared apart Liverpool’s ’embarrassing’ defense in their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, while Gary Neville praised Liverpool for showing ‘fight, spirit and energy’ from the start of the season. .
“Liverpool’s defense was really shocking. They weren’t in the race at all,” Carragher said.
“Every time United moved forward in the first half they seemed to score. It was embarrassing. Liverpool were all over the place.
”United were great but Liverpool weren’t ready for the derby game. They didn’t look ready for the game.
“As a Manchester United fan, I’m really proud to watch these players and I never thought I’d say something like that in the last few weeks,” Neville countered.
“The fight, the spirit and the energy of Manchester United was amazing. I was completely stunned. I didn’t think it was possible. For the first 45 minutes I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I didn’t think it was Manchester United.” This is a massive turnaround.
“I don’t know what happened on the training ground this week, but they responded. I don’t know what it was, but what I witnessed is unbelievable. They passed Liverpool, they passed Liverpool. ”
Ten Hag: I have to do this every game
Manchester United manager Eric ten Hag told Sky Sports:
“You can talk about tactics, but it’s all about attitude. There was communication and fighting spirit.”
“I wanted a different approach and a different attitude. That’s what they brought to the pitch. This is just the beginning. We can play more calmly, take more risks. To the team. Be and have a good spirit – and that’s what we saw today.
“It’s not always about what I said. Please give me.”
“I said [the players] You have to act, not talk a lot. Make sure you are a team, fighting and brave. It’s not just the spirit without ownership.
“Sometimes strikers think they can’t do that because they have to conserve energy for aggressive action. I am happy that I scored the goal.”
“I’m happy with the performance, but you have to bring it in every game. Not just against Liverpool. Every game in the Premier League is difficult. You have to bring it in every game. It’s the spirit again. start from” .”
Klopp: We could have won if we played a little better
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp told Sky Sports:
“Obviously we are in a tricky situation with injuries. We will get through the week with 14-15 senior players available. You must try not to
“Even in our situation, if we had played a little better, if we had been a little more certain about what we were doing, we would have won this match. I know, but that’s my point of view.
“In the beginning they were really aggressive. It was completely clear what was going to happen. Reality shows if we are really ready. In the beginning they were more aggressive than we were. They hit the post and it was a hectic game.”
“Then they scored and we took over and played the game we wanted to play more or less.
“We were unlucky with the situation, especially around set pieces. I don’t know why the ball didn’t go in. In a game like this against an opponent like United, it would be very helpful to score at that moment. 1-1 at halftime.
“Conceding a second goal didn’t help, then we scored and then it was a hectic game with a lot of interruptions, not the result we wanted.
“Maybe they [sharper], of course not, but it was there when I calmed down. We had so many shots in our away games for United, but if we do, we should use those moments more.”
what’s next?
Manchester United’s next assignment is to go to Southampton on Saturday lunchtime. The team, led by Eric Ten Hag, will travel to Leicester City on September 1st and play live, hosting Arsenal three days later. sky sports.
Liverpool are currently facing two home games. The first is against Bournemouth this Saturday. Kick off at 3pm and play Newcastle next Wednesday. Kick off at 8pm. Focus will now shift to his derby against Merseyside against Everton at lunchtime on his kick-off on Saturday 3 September.







