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United's vastly improved performance for their first points of
the campaign, thanks to goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus
Rashford, left Juergen Klopp's Liverpool without a victory from
their opening three games and with just two points.
It was the first win for United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag who
was rewarded for his decision to leave Cristiano Ronaldo and
club captain Harry Maguire on the bench.
"I am happy with the performance but we have to bring it every
game," said Ten Hag. "Don't just bring it against Liverpool.
Every Premier League game is difficult. We need to bring it to
every game. It starts, once again, with the spirit."
In the aftermath of last week's humiliating 4-0 loss at
Brentford, it has been a week of major question marks over the
club's owners, the Florida-based Glazer family, and some fans
marched to the ground in protest ahead of the kick-off calling
for them to sell the club.
United's transfer failings have also been criticised but before
the match started their new arrival from Real Madrid, Casemiro,
was unveiled to the fans, although the welcoming applause
threatened to be drowned out by anti-Glazer chants.
That strange juxtaposition of support and protest remained
throughout the game but United's display, their best in over a
year, defined the night.
SANCHO STRIKE
Sancho put the hosts ahead in the 16th minute, showing great
composure as he collected a pull-back from Anthony Elanga, left
James Milner on his backside and then slotted the ball into the
bottom corner.
Christian Eriksen was denied a second for Ten Hag's side with a
curling free-kick which Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker
touched away from the top corner but United extended their lead
after the break.
A mistake by Jordan Henderson allowed substitute Anthony Martial
to send Rashford clear and the England forward kept his cool to
slot past Alisson in the 53rd minute for his first league goal
since January.
Henderson was part of a weakened midfield with James Milner and
Harvey Elliott but Liverpool were below par all over the field.
They did however pull a goal back in the 81st minute when Fabio
Carvalho's shot was parried by David De Gea only for Mohamed
Salah to react quickly and nod in the loose ball.
There was plenty for Ten Hag to be encouraged by, particularly
Rashford's return to scoring and form, but he will surely be
delighted with the positive performances of two of his new
signings.
Lisandro Martinez was outstanding in the centre of defence
alongside the recalled Raphael Varane while Tyrell Malacia,
picked ahead of Luke Shaw at left back, was tenacious
throughout.
"We can talk about tactical but it is all about attitude. There
was communication and a fighting spirit," said Ten Hag.
"I wanted a different approach and a different attitude and that
is what they brought on the pitch. It is only a start. We can
play with much more composure and much more danger. Be a team,
and have a good spirit and that is what we saw today."
There were some late nerves for the home side after Liverpool
scored but they held firm and the United fans, who had begun the
night chanting against their owners, the Glazer family, went
home in celebratory mood.
(Reporting by Simon Evans, Editing by Ken Ferris)
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