ERIK TEN HAG’s has got off to a flyer as Man Utd manager after they romped to a 4-0 victory over Liverpool.
Fred, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial have all netted to give Erik ten Hag a perfect start to life in charge of the Red Devils.
Uruguayan striker Facundo Pellistri then came off the bench to add a fourth in the second half.
But there were concerns down the other end as David de Gea was forced off injured.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
Diallo gets new nickname
Man United starlet Amad Diallo has been given a nickname by Bruno Fernandes after featuring in the Red Devils’ thrashing of Liverpool.
Diallo uploaded a montage of snaps from the clash on Instagram following the game.
And Fernandes commented under the post, saying: “bravo piccolo”.
Piccolo could be a reference to the Italian definition of the word which means “small, little, or young.”
All three characteristics apply to the 20-year-old Diallo who’s 5’4ft tall.
Ten Hag critiques United perfomance
Erik ten Hag has insisted he is not entirely happy with his Manchester United team – despite their 4-0 thrashing of Liverpool in a pre-season game.
The new boss oversaw a dream start to his reign as the Red Devils ran rampant in the Bangkok-based friendly.
The Dutch boss told MUTV: “I know we have good players, now we have to construct a team. I’m happy with the first game.
“It will take lots of time [to get this team playing my way]. I have seen a lot of mistakes today. Let’s be honest, Liverpool plays in three teams, they were not at their strongest.
“We must not overestimate this result, but still I have seen some really good things. We have a lot of creativity and speed up front. Like I said, we have potential.”
Carvalho rues United loss
New Liverpool signing Fabio Carvalho has admitted losing to Man United on his debut was a bittersweet experience.
But the attacking midfielder vowed to get vengeance the next time the Reds meet United in a competitive match.
The Portuguese ace said: “I‘m just thankful to be here and hopefully next game we can put things straight.
“Today it was a bit bittersweet for me because obviously it was my first game for Liverpool.
“No one likes to get beat, especially against United, but I’m sure we will be working on that for the next time we play against them, and I hit the post but next game I’m sure I will get a goal—that’s the mentality I have to go with.”
United face title jibe
Man United fell victim to a cheeky dig from former Liverpool ace Jose Enrique after they crushed the Reds in their pre-season friendly.
The Red Devils were handed a dazzling trophy for the friendly victory.
And ex-Red Enrqiue couldn’t resist poking fun at United for winning their first trophy in ages as he put it.
Enrique quipped on Twitter: “First title for a long time. Congratulations Manchester United.”
Klopp on Liverpool loss
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted Man United were the better team after the Reds lost to their bitter adversaries.
Klopp said after the game: “The result is there, so we have to accept that.
“But of course I think it’s clear we could have scored our goals as well. Then it would have been an even more spectacular game.
“The goals we gave away for United, we nearly got assists for it, to be honest. But they used the chances and that’s how it is. But I saw a lot of really good stuff from my team as well. The game obviously came a little bit early for us and a few of our players.
“It was pretty clear where we made the mistakes but you have to keep on playing and that’s what we did and we could have scored three or four in the last five minutes – but we didn’t and that’s our fault.
“Atmosphere great, welcome fantastic, organisation really, really good. But result not.”
Ten Hag on United’s win
Erik ten Hag is pleased with his Man United squad after they destroyed Liverpool in Asia.
Speaking after United’s heroics, the Dutchman said to MUTV: “Of course we are satisfied with today, because I think that was a team with a great spirit.
“We know we are just starting. We did the press; we made some mistakes in pressing and conceded some chances, but also we created lots.
“I thought our team played brave, played proactive and we had to play really hard to get out of the mistakes, but we are happy with the first game.
“I know we have good players,” he added. “We have started the first game and I am happy.”
Savage Maradona
Robbie Savage compared his son Charlie to Maradona after the youngster featured in Man United’s win over Liverpool.
Charlie came off the bench as United romped home to a 4-0 win in Asia over their Northern neighbours.
And dad Robbie was delighted by the Maradona-esque skills he witnessed from his descendant.
Robbie beamed on social media: “So so proud. I thought you were terrific, a Maradona turn on edge of your own box. Who did you get that from? Finally, a savage that can play.”
Malacia soaks in experience
New Man United signing Tyrell Malacia was blown away by his debut experience with the club.
Malacia recently joined United from Feyenoord for £13m.
And his United career got off to a flying start as he participated in crushing Liverpool 4-0 in the club’s pre-season friendly.
Speaking on the game, he said: “I’m very happy.
“It feels amazing to be here, to wear this shirt and play with these people.
“It was difficult because of the weather, it’s very hot, but we made it.”
King Erik brings home the spoils
4 goals, 1 trophy.
Manchester United put Klopp’s Liverpool to the sword
What a start for the Dutchman and his side’s pre-season.
.Credit: Getty
‘The game came too early for us’ – Klopp
Jurgen Klopp has had his say on the 4-0 defeat:
Obviously the game came a little bit too early for us, for some of our boys, so I think we agree that we saw a lot of good things in this game, but in the decisive moments we were not clear enough with finishing our situations off. We gave massive chances away. Pretty much no-brainers, but United did well in these moments, they finished the situations off.
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool boss
.Credit: Getty Klopp singing the praises of Elliott
During a largely disappointing evening for Liverpool fans, seeing Harvey Elliott back playing would have been a silver lining. He looked very sharp in the first half, but there is quite some competition for places in Liverpool’s front three.
In the lead up to the game, Liverpool’s boss spoke highly of the youngster:
We should not forget that in the first four games of last season, Harvey Elliot was the best player. He was outstanding.
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool boss
.Credit: Reuters Liverpool preparations off to a poor start
A friendly loss shouldn’t bother Jurgen Klopp too much, but there may be some worry creeping into Liverpool fans as they prepare to face Manchester city in the FA Community Shield later this month.
They have three more games to get ready:
- Crystal Palace
- RB Leipzig
- Salzburg
Manchester United’s next 5 fixtures
After a brilliant result today, Ten Hag’s men have the opportunity to build on it with five more games before they play their first game of the season against Brighton on August 8th.
Up next on their tour:
- Melbourne Victory
- Crystal Palace
- Aston Villa
- Atletico Madrid
- Rayo Vallecano
A new reign in the rain
There was a different feel to the Manchester United of last season today in the Bangkok rain. The players looked hungry, passionate and like they wanted to win; a regular criticism of the side under Ralf Rangnick.
Manchester United fans will head into the Premier League season hopeful that their new boss can change the tides at the club and bring silverware to Old Trafford.
.Credit: Getty Silencing the critics
Many Manchester United players took a lot of criticism last season for a series of poor results. But few took more stick than Fred. Today, he proved fans wrong, producing a wonderful chip over Alisson.
Out of favour Martial, was also effective up front today, causing Liverpool plenty of problems at the back. Might he still have a future in Manchester?
Sancho was perhaps the standout performer. Labelled as a ‘flop’ last season, he was a part of everything United did right today.
.Credit: Getty
3 teams in 1
Jurgen Klopp replaced his entire outfield team after Fred scored United’s second. He then did the exact same in the 60th minute, fielding his traditionally strongest team.
In the second half, it was effectively Liverpool’s A team vs Manchester United’s B team. But Ten Hag’s men managed to sustain the pressure and pulled through. Liverpool certainly helped them along the way, missing a multitude of opportunities.
.Credit: Reuters A day of debuts
Today saw the first glimpses of several new signings for both clubs.
Liverpool’s Fabio Carvalho was unlucky not to score in the first half, whilst Darwin Nunez came close on a couple of occasions, missing a golden opportunity late in the second half.
Tyrell Malacia also looked good for United, as he looks to push for a regular place in the starting lineup.
.Credit: Getty Trophy time
Captain Bruno Fernandes and Erik Ten hag lift the Bangkok Century Cup.
.Credit: AFP A satisfied Ten Hag has his say
Manchester United boss spoke to MUTV after the game, stressing the win should not be overestimated:
I am satisfied today. It was a team with great spirit and we know we are just getting started. We made some mistakes in the press, we conceded some chances, but we created a lot. I know we have good players. We have started to build a team and I am happy with the first game. It will take a lot of time. I have seen a lot of mistakes. Liverpool played three teams. They were not at their strongest. We will not overestimate this result. But still, I have seen some really good things. A lot of speed and creativity up front.
Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United boss
Revenge is a dish best served Thai
Arc your minds back to April this year: Liverpool beat Manchester United 4-0 to complete a 9-0 aggregate Premier League League win over their rivals.
Today, Manchester United got their revenge, putting four past Klopp’s men.
.Credit: EPA .Credit: Getty No Ronaldo neccessary
Manchester United were without their club’s top scorer last season Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portugese star asked to leave the club.
However, his services weren’t required. Sancho, Fred, Martial and Pellistri all got on the scoresheet to secure the win.
.Credit: Getty
Ten’s first four
The perfect start to life as the new Manchester United manager.
FULL TIME – Manchester United 4-0 Liverpool
Andre Marriner calls time on a fascinating evening in Bangkok.
Four goals, a clean sheet; a perfect day at the races for Ten Hag and his players.
It’s a scoreline that flatters United, who bore the brunt of a flurry of Liverpool attacks, but none of which they could convert.
.Credit: AFP Manchester United 4-0 Liverpool
9+2, So close! The ball drops to Salah at the back post, but he can’t quite squeeze it past Heaton. That’s been the story of their night.
Manchester United 4-0 Liverpool
90, The ball bounces out to Keita, who’s fiercely struck shot is blocked on it’s path to goal.
Roberston then wins a corner. Will there be some consolation for Klopp’s side?
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
