Man United vs. Liverpool result, highlights and analysis as Ten Hag enjoys emphatic maiden triumph

Man United vs. Liverpool result, highlights and analysis as Ten Hag enjoys emphatic maiden triumph

Erik ten Hag got off to a dream start as Manchester United manager with a 4-0 friendly win over Liverpool in Bangkok.

How much any meeting between United and Liverpool can ever be considered a “friendly” is up for debate and new Old Trafford boss Erik ten Hag will have been pleased with what he saw at the Rajamangala Stadium.

Jurgen Klopp stuck to his pledge of selecting a different outfield 10 for each half-hour of the contest and Fred and Anthony Martial struck either side of the first batch of wholesale changes, with Jadon Sancho having given United a 12th-minute lead.

Facundo Pellistri completed a scoreline that flattered United slightly, as Mohamed Salah hit the post after debutant Fabio Carvalho and Luis Diaz did likewise for the Premier League runners-up.

David De Gea prevented both of last season’s thrashings against Liverpool from being worse than 5-0 and 4-0 and, despite Liverpool naming a more inexperienced starting line-up, he was forced into a trio of early saves before Sancho broke the deadlock.

Carvalho clattered the post in the 18th minute and Diaz should have scored from the rebound. The Colombian winger missed his kick and, a few moments later, whipped a 25-yard effort against the outside of the upright.

South American magic came at the other end, with Fred collecting a loose ball on the edge of the D before dispatching a finish that left Alisson stranded — a goal that is sure to be a topic of conversation on Brazil’s next get-together. Martial then harried defensive replacement Rhys Williams out of possession to finish confidently.

Klopp’s third outfield selection boasted most of his first-choice starters and heralded a debut for record signing Darwin Nunez. The record signing brilliantly controlled Andy Robertson’s 70th-minute pass on his chest and Tom Heaton saved well when he fired across goal.

A different Uruguayan completed the scoring as Pellestri streamed away on the break and exchanged passes with Amad to slot home. 

Salah went close a couple of times but a combination of the post and some brave last-ditch work from Eric Bailly preserved United’s clean sheet.

Martial makes his mark for Ten Hag

After spending the second half of last season on loan at Sevilla, Anthony Martial has become something of a forgotten man at United.

But a skilful, pacy and versatile forward should theoretically tick a few boxes for Ten Hag. Uncertainty surrounds Cristiano Ronaldo’s future and Edinson Cavani’s departure had already left United light up front.

Martial’s speed posed problems throughout the first half for Liverpool’s high line and his pressing to win the ball back for his goal is sure to have delighted his manager.

McDominate: Don’t call it a friendly

One half of United’s much-maligned midfield duo stole the attention with his majestic finish but McTominay also made his mark - quite painfully for a couple of Liverpool players. James Milner came on with half an hour played and in an early aerial challenge he was clobbered on the back of the head by McTominay’s elbow.

Curtis Jones was also clattered by the Scotland international, whose limitations are well-documented but whose commitment to the cause cannot be doubted.

Bailly covers up Man United’s existing defensive weaknesses

Ten Hag will have enjoyed United’s sharp work in transition and clinical attacking play - both qualities that were not readily associated with them towards the end of last season.

However, they kept a clean sheet more by luck than judgement and it was fairly remarkable Liverpool did not find the net. Last-ditch defending is not a long-term plan, but for now, Ten Hag could at least appreciate Bailly at his best.

Always an all-or-nothing type of defender, the centre-back put it all on the line to keep Liverpool at bay and ensured Nunez had a fruitless maiden outing. His storming run to set up Pellestri’s goal was the icing on the cake.

For More Blogs Visit: magizza.com