Jadon Sancho scored a memorable opener for Manchester United (Picture: Getty Images) Manchester United could not have looked more different to the side that opened the season with two defeats, as they produced a fine performance to beat Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford on Monday night. Manchester United news, exclusives and analysisSign upPrivacy Policy Erik ten Hag had endured a terrible start to life as United boss, losing meekly to Brighton and Brentford, but the improvement from those defeats was absolutely vast against Jurgen Klopp’s men. It was the high-energy, committed, aggressive performance that fans had been hoping for, and the Red Devils proved to have too much for their opponents, not just in vim and vigour but also quality.
Jadon Sancho scored the first goal early in the second half with a remarkably cool bit of control and a finish to match. Marcus Rashford who, much like Sancho, has been struggling for form for some time, also showed why he is starting for Manchester United by surging past the backline and expertly finishing past Alisson Becker. United had been comfortably the better team but things got very nervy for them at the death after Mohamed Salah nodded past David de Gea with 10 minutes to play, but they held on.
Ten Hag had gambled on not picking his biggest name in Cristiano Ronaldo or his captain Harry Maguire, both of whom were left on the bench, but it paid off for the Dutchman, who will be hoping this is the start of something special under his stewardship as he picks up his first victory. The home side started impressively at Old Trafford, with surprise starter Anthony Elanga squandering a great chance just 10 minutes in as he hit the foot of the post when through on Alisson. Sancho opened the scoring 16 minutes into the game, though, after a nice exchange between Christian Eriksen and Elanga on the left saw the ball squared to the England winger near the penalty spot.
The former Dortmund man allowed James Milner to dive across him before casually finding the bottom corner as Virgil van Dijk and Alisson looked on. That composure 🤤Calm as you like from Jadon Sancho and Manchester United lead at Old Trafford! 💥 pic. twitter.
com/7ZkB2jf1FO— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 22, 2022 The Red Devils continued to dominate the first half and their only complaint at the break would have been that they were not further ahead, although they did not have to wait long for another goal in the second stanza. Jordan Henderson gave the ball away in midfield, allowing half-time substitute Anthony Martial to unleash Rashford on the counter-attack and he did so clinically. The England forward was just onside, barely, but he sprinted away from Joe Gomez and expertly beat Alisson at his near post to score his first Premier League goal since January.
IT’S TWO! 💥Marcus Rashford finishes off a clinical Manchester United counter-attack after a VAR check deems him onside! âš¡ pic. twitter. com/1CecemhHZd— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 22, 2022 Liverpool only really started creating chances in the final 15-20 minutes and they did keep the game alive through their talisman in the final 10.
It was the scrappiest goal of the game as a sharp shot from substitute Fabio Carvalho was saved well by De Gea, but Salah got up to head the rebound home. They could not push for an equaliser, though, and if anything the home side looked the more likely to score again in the final moments, with Martial and Ronaldo looking lively off the bench. The three points takes the Red Devils above Liverpool in the Premier League table to 14th, with the Reds falling to 16th.
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