Ten Hag off to dream start as Manchester United thrash Liverpool

Manchester United provided a base to kick on from as they beat bitter rivals Liverpool 4-0 to start their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia in style.

Erik ten Hag set out a strong team for his first match in charge of the Red Devil’s, his side set out in a 4-2-3-1 featuring a double pivot of Scott McTominay and Fred to the dismay of a large contingent of supporters.

In the opposing dugout, Jurgen Klopp fielded an inexperienced starting eleven with Alisson, Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino and Luis Diaz the only recognised first-team players featured from the start.

Klopp went into the game with the luxury of being able to field untried talent as ten Hag looked to use every minute possible to view his proposed ‘starters’ in action.

The Dutchman’s influence on his new players was evident from the first whistle. The attacking quartet of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho backed up by Bruno Fernandes in attacking midfield looked to put pressure on their opponents.

While the intention was for all to see, putting it into practice – as is to be expected – was a different matter.

Despite their juvenile make-up, early on, Liverpool showcased the slick and confident passing synonymous with Klopp’s side, exhibiting the philosophy the head coach has embedded throughout all age groups at Melwood – something higher-ups at Old Trafford will be hoping Erik ten Hag can oversee.

Manchester United vs Liverpool at a glance

The game was played at a high pace early on, highlighting the bitter rivalry that isn’t lost irrespective of the location or tangible return on offer from the game in question.

A defensive mistake allowed United to take the lead potentially against the run of play with Jadon Sancho finishing well after latching onto a poor clearance by youngster Isaac Mabaya at the back-post following a teasing Bruno Fernandes cross.

United’s second and third also arrived courtesy of defensive mistakes by their opponents, Fernandes again central to the build-up play before an indecisive Liverpool clearance afforded the ball to Fred who finished with a dinked effort.

Offering no rest bite to Klopp’s makeshift defence, Anthony Martial caught Rhys Williams in possession before driving from the right toward the box and finishing with ease past a helpless Allison for the Red Devil’s third of the half.

United compiled Liverpool’s misery late in the second half again against the run of play. Eric Baily brought the ball out from the back before feeding Amad Diallo who laid the ball to Facundo Pellistri who finished with a simple finish off the post.

A mixed bag for Manchester United’s midfielders

The centre of the pitch has been an area of woe for Manchester United in recent years and Erik ten Hag has sought to strengthen the position so far in this transfer window, albeit unsuccessfully.

Chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough have been in Barcelona this week to attempt to push a deal through for Frenkie de Jong and the absence of a player of his profile was clear during the first half.

In the event of United’s centre-backs playing the ball across the backline, they often appeared starved of options with neither Fred nor McTominay keen to show for the ball and trigger attacks.

Of the two, McTominay would be expected to offer more in an attacking sense with Fred’s profile owing more to a defensive-minded midfielder.

Videos coming out of ten Hag’s opening training sessions showed a focus on the former’s ability in possession and distribution – an area of his game that has drawn criticism previously.

As a result, the Scottish international showed more purpose in his passing and looked to play directly between the lines and into the feet of his more advanced teammates.

Helped by Liverpool’s ineptitude defensively, an example of the above had a hand in United’s second and set the wheels in motion for Fred’s eventual chipped finish.

In the second half, academy products Charlie Savage and Zidane Iqbal replaced their senior teammates and showed glimpses of promise. Savage; productive in his passing while Iqbal showed creativity and confidence in possession.

Liverpool grow into the game after the break

The latter stages of the first half saw Liverpool grow into the game and enjoy sustained pressure. This carried through after the break with United appearing more disjointed as the match progressed.

Ten Hag sided with youth in the second-half, as fans were able to get a first look at new signing Tyrell Malacia along with youngsters Diallo, Pellistri and Elanga. Malacia had a relatively routine start to life with his new team but didn’t look out of place.

Jurgen Klopp’s men had chances in both instalments but lacked potency in front of goal which contributed to the flattering score-line on their opponents’ part.

To the delight of the local Reds supporters, Klopp introduced the A-team on the hour mark including Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and new signing Darwin Nunez.

The Uruguayan was unable to make the impact he perhaps hoped for, however, and had a chance saved by substitute keeper Tom Heaton soon after being introduced.

Also part of the late arrivals, Mohamed Salah looked to have provided the clinical edge Liverpool had lacked to that point. He hit the post with a trademark effort from the right side of the penalty area in effect gifting Nunez an opportunity to score the rebound only for his effort to be diverted by Bailly.

Fabio Carvalho, who arrived from Fulham this summer, made his debut from the start and didn’t make much of an impact aside from when his side had opportunities to break on the counterattack.

The tie was always going to be more telling for United as opposed to Liverpool. Although the result shouldn’t be looked into from the latter’s perspective, Erik ten Hag can and will take the positives while undoubtedly identifying the obvious need for improvement.