ERIK TEN HAG’s first game as manager could not have gone better as they romped into a 4-0 victory.
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.
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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?
Manchester United 4-0 Liverpool
86, Salah hits the post!
The Egyptian conjures up a brilliant curling effort towards the far corner, which bounces off the woodwork. The ball falls to new boy Nunez, but with the whole goal to aim at, he skies it!
A wry smile on the face of the Uruguyan. Bailly sliding in front of him would have caused some distraction.
Liverpool fans so nearly with something to cheer about. The woodwork has been their enemy today.
Manchester United 4-0 Liverpool
85, Half-chance for Keita.
Alexander-Arnold bears down the right and stands one up. It takes a nick and falls to Keita at the back post who can’t adjust his body and blazes his effort over the bar.
Manchester United 4-0 Liverpool
83, Alexander-Arnold fizzes a free kick ball into the United wall. Bailly takes the brunt of it and is receiving treatment on the floor now.
A visual of Ten Hag appears on the big screen which receives a warm applause from the fans inside here. It might be a friendly, but he’ll be really pleased with this performance.
Manchester United 4-0 Liverpool
81, A goal totally against the run of play, but that will surely put this game out of the reach of Liverpool who had been threatening.
GOAL! – Manchester United 4-0 Liverpool
Pellistri makes it four!
It’s been all Liverpool in this second half, but United catch them off guard.
It all started with Bailly who calmly took the ball forward, cutting out the Liverpool midfield with a step-over. With Konate out of position, it became 4 on 2, with Pellistri the grateful recipient of a pass inside. The Uruguayan stroked the ball confidently into the bottom left corner.
Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool
73, Elanga gets in behind the Liverpool defence and is taken out by Adrien. But the forward is ruled offside.
Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool
71, Robertson slides a trademark ball into a good area, but a touch takes it away from Hill and into Heaton.
United’s youngsters are keeping Liverpool at bay for now.
Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool
69, Nunez gets a shot away.
Roberston finds Nunez in space. With the angle against him, he fires one at Heaton, stinging the keeper’s gloves. The Uruguyan looks hungry for a goal today.
.Credit: Getty Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool
66, Liverpool are beginning to establish themselves, now.
Salah looks to find Nunez in behind, but Bailly intercepts. Hill then chips one in for Thiago but the Manchetser United man is there again.
De Gea’s night is up. Heaton is on in his place. The Spaniard looked to be struggling with something.
Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool
63, Alexander-Arnold brilliantly clips the ball over the head of his man, and attempts to slide in Nunez, but the ball doesn’t have quite enough on it. The Liverpool fans enjoyed that one.
Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool
60, it’s time for the big hitters.
Nunez, Salah, Van Djik, Konate Thiago, Fabinho, Hill, Robertson and Keita are all on in an attempt to change the course of this game.
Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool
59, Elanga draws a foul from Frauendorf as a team of Liverpool substitutes prepare themselves on the sidelines.
Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool
57, Milner is sprinting around the field like a player 10 years his junior, but slips as he takes the corner.
Clark looks to be the option in behind for Liverpool if they can find him.
Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool
56, Liverpool hoping to threaten with a couple of corners but they come to nothing. It’s like a different game this second half, with both teams feeling each other out for the first time.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
