Erik ten Hag got his Manchester United tenure off to the perfect start by beating fierce rivals Liverpool 4-0 in a pre-season friendly.
The Red Devils produced a performance that will encourage the Dutchman in his first game in charge of the club.
Especially in the first half, United’s work rate out of possession and desire to press Jurgen Klopp’s side high up the pitch was refreshing to see.
United went into half-time with a 3-0 lead thanks to clinical finishes from Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial alongside a delicate chip from Fred.
A much-changed United in the second half came up against a much stronger Liverpool side but Facundo Pellistri but the finishing touches to a sweeping move which put the icing on the cake.
With many reasons to be positive after United’s first game under Ten Hag, United in Focus takes a look at Manchester United’s four best players against Liverpool.
Manchester United’s best players against Liverpool
Fred
Just like in recent years, the Brazilian started in midfield alongside familiar partner Scott McTominay.
What was evident in Ten Hag’s first game in charge was Fred’s freedom and willingness to drive forward and burst past the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Anthony Martial.
Fred’s energy and work rate out of possession are traits that will endear himself to Ten Hag, but the Dutchman looks to have given him licence to bomb forward while McTominay holds his position.
Fred showed all of his Brazilian panache when he lobbed his compatriot Alisson with a delicate right-footed chip that his fellow countryman Ronaldinho would have been proud of.
Jadon Sancho
Sancho wasn’t able to produce the devastating form he consistently showed in Germany in his first season at United.
But after enduring a campaign that saw him play under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick and Ralf Rangnick, United’s dazzling winger could be unleashed under Ten Hag.
Borussia Dortmund’s former star looked confident against Liverpool and his composed finish into the far bottom corner will only aid the England international’s self-belief.
United’s number 25 could be in for a big season and he looked to be at his best playing in a fluid forward line with Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Anthony Martial.
Bruno Fernandes
With Harry Maguire missing due a slight knock, United’s new number eight wore the captain’s armband against United’s great rivals.
The former Sporting Lisbon man was at his creative best and he benefitted from Sancho, Rashford and Martial’s desire and willingness to run in-behind.
Fernandes has hit the ground running after only returning to Carrington last Monday and with him being deployed in the attacking midfielder role in a 4-2-3-1 formation, the 27-year-old could take his game to a whole new level under Ten Hag.
Eric Bailly
Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane didn’t put a foot wrong in the first half, but it was Bailly who stole the show in United’s centre-back department.
United’s number three played alongside Alex Telles in the second half and the Ivorian frequently had to bail out the Brazilian.
Playing against Liverpool’s big-money summer signing Darwin Nunez, the former Villarreal man didn’t give the Uruguayan an inch.
His performance would have likely impressed Ten Hag and his influential role in United’s fourth goal shows the qualities he can also bring to the side when he strides forward with the ball at his feet.
Bailly left Thiago in a tangle when he produced an audacious stepover which led to his fellow countryman Amad setting up United’s fourth goal which came via Pellistri.
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