A victory to build on

After the humiliating defeat against Brentford on matchday two (4-0), Erik Ten-Hag forced his players to travel 13 kilometres, the difference between what his team and the rival ran in that match. The Dutch coach showed signs of his strong character and it seems that his reprimand had an effect. Barely a week later, United received a Liverpool team they had won only once in their last twelve meetings and achieved a prestigious victory (2-1) that allows them to climb out of the bottom of the standings.

Already from the starting eleven Ten-Hag showed that his pulse does not tremble when making decisions. He sat down heavyweights like Cristiano Ronaldo, Maguire, Fred and Shaw and brought on Varane, McTominay, Malacia and Elanga. A small revolution in the eleven that paid off. United were very orderly, put Liverpool under good pressure and prevented Salah and company from running. Possession was dominated by Klopp’s men but Thiago’s foul and especially Fabinho’s was noticeable in excess. The Brazilian suffered some discomfort and could only play the final half hour, which coincided with Liverpool’s best minutes. The first half did not have much football. United took the lead with a genius from Jadon Sancho and Liverpool barely bothered De Gea. The script changed little in the second half.

An error by Henderson, horrible all night, allowed Martial to assist Rashford into space, which he did not spare. The second part of the English player gives reason for hope at Old Trafford, where he recalled the vertical and unbalanced player of three seasons ago. Fabinho’s aforementioned entry changed the match. Liverpool’s possessions made more sense and for the first time De Gea was forced to intervene. He made several worthwhile saves, but could not prevent Salah’s goal, which gave Klopp’s men hope. The red-devils sank excessively and for a moment the shadow of a new disappointment hovered over Old Trafford.

Crisitano entered in the 85th minute with a serious face to try to take advantage of the spaces that Liverpool granted. The scoreboard, however, did not budge, and United breathed a sigh of relief. An important victory in the same week in which the signing of Casemiro was made official. The arrival of the Brazilian will provide a fundamental balance for the Mancunians but it remains to be seen if the squad has enough quality to play the cheerful and colorful football that characterized Ten-Hag’s Ajax. In any case, the victory against the eternal rival gives the Dutch coach time and space to continue trying to implant his idea.