The strength of the Varane / Martinez tandem, Sancho’s composure, Van Dijk absent… What to remember after MU’s victory over the Reds on Monday night (2-1).
TOPS
Varane/Martinez, it’s solid
Replacing against Brighton (1-2) and entering the break during the rout at Brentford (4-0), Raphaël Varane started in Erik ten Hag’s eleven on Monday evening. Winning choice, the French world champion having quickly shown that he is much better than a simple substitute. Biting in the duels, he brought order to the entry into the Mancunian surface, alongside newcomer Lisandro Martinez. Good Varane, and it’s reassuring for the Blues. But it is above all the Franco-Argentinian tandem of the central hinge that shone in this match. They both finished with cramps and we understand that given the efforts made against the Reds. The absentees always being wrong, Harry Maguire may have lost big, he who was relegated to the bench by Ten Hag (see elsewhere).
Sancho, cool
The pun is easy, but so justified. Jason Sancho shone with his composure to put MU on the right track by scoring in the 16th minute. Well served at the penalty spot by the excellent Anthony Elanga, replaced at the break, the English international took the time to make the right gesture, a small feint which put James Milner and Alisson on the ground to slide the ball into the back nets. Only his sixth goal at MU. An important goal. Sancho hasn’t been the most consistent up front, less so than Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial after the break, but his impact beyond goal is undeniable.
The strong (and paying) choices of Ten Hag
Erik ten Hag had chosen to favor speed in front. Exit Cristiano Ronaldo, substitute. And even when he had to change Elanga at the break, the Dutch coach preferred to bet on Anthony Martial. The French comeback, bleeding for his first outing of the season, was quick to prove him right with this decisive pass for another arrow, English this one, Marcus Rashford, for the 2-0 goal. The other strong choice of the former Ajax coach is that of “bencher” Maguire, whose slowness (and blunders) do not help when you want to play high. Last but not least, the experienced Luke Shaw had to give up his place in the eleven to the ex-future Lyonnais Tyrell Malacia, faster, more dynamic and simply excellent at Old Trafford. Criticized in recent weeks, Ten Hag, whose first victory is, has responded, like his players. All good.
Read alsoPremier League: “Fuck good football players”, Ten Hag jubilant after the victory of MU
FLOPS
Van Dijk unrecognizable
James Milner’s anger says it all. Certainly, Virgil van Dijk must go out on Sancho, on the action of 1-0 for MU. It is besides at the beginning, passive, soft. Without this apathy from the Dutchman, there was no action at all… At least he keeps his stat, that of the player who is never dribbled… On the second goal, he is totally possessed. The nonchalance of the Liverpool defender calls out at the start of the season and again on Monday during this defeat in Manchester.
Feverish “TAA”
If he finished the match as we know it, dangerous on the offensive level and generally twirling on his side, Trent Alexander-Arnold first and above all suffered defensively in this meeting. He was particularly jostled by the speed of Elanga, but not only, with this gross fault on the Swede and the yellow which went with it from the 25th minute as a symbol. He is particularly passive on the first goal, and overtaken on the second, he who then had to come under attack from Rashford on his wing after Elanga.
Firmino until it rains
Liverpool’s attacking trio did not shine at Old Trafford. Deprived of Darwin Nunez, suspended, the Reds were able to count on the combativeness of Luis Diaz, with the goal of the hope of a Mohamed Salah now the only top scorer in the MU-Liverpool shocks (10) but who has long shone by his lack of accuracy. Operational again and back in the eleven, Roberto Firmino, he never departed from this lack of accuracy… The Brazilian striker did not achieve much on Monday, missing his discounts or his strikes, missing ‘inspiration. Nunez can sleep soundly.
