Manchester United outplayed and outplayed them, playing with the kind of energy and effort that Jurgen Klopp loves to see from his side and Erik ten Hag was yet to convince from his. From the start, this was a different United. His United? Perhaps the turning point for Ten Haag came with his team selection. Harry Maguire, the captain, fell. Cristiano Ronaldo, symbol of the club and with the most incomes, fell. “It means nothing for the future,” Ten Haag previously said. But it would define his night. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player FREE WATCH: Highlights from Manchester United’s win over Liverpool Lisandro Martinez was mocked for his part in the 4-0 defeat by Brentford, hooked at half-time by the man who had just bought him. There was speculation that he would make room for Raphael Varane, perhaps even moving to left-back or midfielder. Ten Haag doubled up to support the Argentine. Maguire and Luke Shaw, the two England internationals who had played either side of him in west London, left. Martinez? Majestic. Tyrell Malacia, in full debut, was also a joy. There was a theory that this game might suit some of these players, less long ball to deal with and the presence of the old enemy galvanizing the ground. There have been protests against ownership, but support for the players has been steadfast. It had that derby feel. And United went to Liverpool with gusto. “It’s a game where it was 100% clear what United were going to do,” Jurgen Klopp said. “Were they more aggressive than us at the start? Probably, yes. It was exactly the game United wanted to play. At the start, it was wild. Up and down.” In short, United were up for it. Although Elanga was only involved in the first 45 minutes, his influence in shaping the direction of the game should not be forgotten. He set one up and was a goal wide away from scoring another. His energy was contagious. It was too hot for Trent Alexander-Arnold and if Elanga brought the heat it was Jadon Sancho who brought the light. The calmest man in Manchester when he hot-dogged James Milner and Alisson into Sir Matt Busby Way for the opening goal. Even Klopp admitted it created a “special atmosphere” inside Old Trafford and the fact that it was Marcus Rashford who scored what turned out to be the winning goal for United. He deserved it. This was a man running on his own in form. Image: Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring against Liverpool “Sometimes forwards think they can’t do it because they have to save their energy for attacking,” Ten Haag told Sky Sports. “Today is a demand and you saw that. It makes me happy that Rashford and Sancho scored the goals.” In the press conference, he added: “The performances of Sancho and Rashford, they bring so much strength to the game, but at the same time they can constantly be a threat to the opposition defence.” I work hard without the ball and I am decisive with it. He fully justified the decision to reject Ronaldo. Ten Haag stressed that there is a squad and different matches will require different qualities from his team, rejecting the idea that Ronaldo cannot be part of it. But that’s definitely the norm now. In fact, he may regret ever deviating from it. When Anthony Martial was injured late in pre-season, his response was to go with Christian Eriksen as a false nine against Brighton and then draft in Ronaldo at Brentford. The inclusion of Elanga meant it would stray less from the concept. Surely this was closer to what he wants? It was a tense finish as the home crowd wanted at the whistle, but what impressed was the desire and cohesion of the players. This is needed in the standard now not just a reaction to the visit of their opponents or a concentration crisis. So many stood up. Bruno Fernandes surprised some. Captain for the night, but perhaps more, he roared into the crowd when he closed in near the touchline late in the first half. Late in the game, he was working back to prevent Alexander-Arnold from finishing at the far post. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Erik ten Hag speaks to the MNF panel as he reflects on his first win as Manchester United manager There was the sight of Malacia getting a standing ovation for a tackle in the corner. Varane revs up the crowd behind the goal as the clock ticks down. Martinez flings himself in the face of gunfire. Even Ronaldo helped us see the win. But it was David de Gea whose celebrations seemed to sum up the strange game that is football. Here he was, fists pumping as he was cheered on by ecstatic fans at the Stretford End. Nine days after his nightmare in Brentford, the mood is changing. “We have a long way to go. We are in a process,” said Ten Hag. “You have setbacks and important moments. Today was a highlight. There is still a lot of room for improvement. But I hope the players understand the basics now. I want to see a team. I want to see a match. You have to invest in that. We saw it today throughout field”.
