Having come into tonight's game fearing what could unfold at Old Trafford, Manchester United supporters will be thrilled to see their team come away with a deserved 2-1 victory over Liverpool.
The home side started the game in a much more aggressive fashion, with their opponents all over the place at the back.
Anthony Elanga missed an early chance to give them the lead, but Jadon Sancho would not make the same mistake a few minutes later. He made the most of some shambolic Liverpool defending to stroke the ball home from inside the penalty area.
That composure 🤤
Calm as you like from Jadon Sancho and Manchester United lead at Old Trafford! 💥 pic.twitter.com/7ZkB2jf1FO— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 22, 2022
Liverpool did grow into the game somewhat as the first half went on, although they created little in the way of scoring opportunities.
United would double their lead soon after the interval, with a terrible pass from Jordan Henderson pounced on by halftime Anthony Martial, playing Marcus Rashford in behind who then finished well.
IT'S TWO! 💥
Marcus Rashford finishes off a clinical Manchester United counter-attack after a VAR check deems him onside! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/1CecemhHZd— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 22, 2022
There were a few nervy moments at the back for the home side as the game entered the final 15 minutes, with a Mohamed Salah header reducing the gap between the sides to one.
However, the home time would hang on for a deserved victory.
Erik ten Hag drops f-bomb in post-match interview
Erik ten Hag will certainly be pleased with the performance from his side. Having lacked fight and determination during their opening two fixtures, they were not lacking in those traits tonight.
The Dutchman made a couple of big calls before the game, dropping Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo for the game. The decision was justified, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez looking solid at the back. Up front, the dynamic and pacy front three seemed a much better fit for his system.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the win, Erik ten Hag was in a defiant mood. He even found time to drop a cheeky f-bomb while praising his players. Dave Jones almost missed it, while Gary Neville was loving it.
TEN HAG WITH THE F BOMB pic.twitter.com/LlMrBSi8UX
— ً (@TheFergusonWay) August 22, 2022
Erik ten Hag is so happy with Man United's first win he swears during his post-match interview 🤣😭 pic.twitter.com/eECpBMzGOL
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 22, 2022
Ten Hag: We can talk about tactics, but it's all about attitude. You could see that we brought attitude on the pitch, there communication, there was a fighting spirit, they were a team.
You can see what they can achieve. They can fucking play football.
Jones: Sorry, an apology for the language if there was a little f-bomb dropped in there. Sorry about that.
Ten Hag: Sorry.
Neville: I quite enjoyed it!
Brilliant.
Erik ten Hag would go on to praise his players further, although he did warn them that they will need to replicate this attitude in games against lesser opposition moving forward.
🗣 "They have to bring it every game."
Erik ten Hag sends a message to his Man United team to continue the intensity they showed against Liverpool pic.twitter.com/33XnkDaoLO— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 22, 2022
The former Ajax boss will be hoping that this performance will help put their disastrous start to the season behind them, beginning with the trip to Southampton on Saturday in the early kick-off.
The team he picked tonight, minus a couple of big names, certainly looked like a much better fit for what he wants to do with the side moving forward.
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