Sports
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s despair shows Erik ten Hag’s first real test ended in an unwatchable embarrassment
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If this was the first big examination of Manchester United’s decision to keep faith with Erik ten Hag then he can be awarded an E. E for embarrassing that left his new paymaster unable to watch.
United were humiliated by Liverpool. It may not have been the 7-0 at Anfield in March 2023, or the 5-0 at Old Trafford in October 2021 (not under Ten Hag), but it felt like it. Such was the supremacy.
If this was also supposed to be a test for Arne Slot, the new Liverpool head coach, then, by sharp contrast, he breezed through it. After comfortable wins over Ipswich Town and Brentford here was supposed to be a challenge from one of the big rivals.
It never materialised and Slot now has a perfect record of played three, won three without conceding a goal. The Dutchman also became the first Liverpool manager to win his first game at Old Trafford since George Kay in 1936.
For Ten Hag? It is back-to-back Premier League defeats, having lost at Brighton, and although it is ridiculously early in the season to make judgments the fact is United are down in 14th and already six points off the top and four off fourth place. “Ten Hag’s at the wheel,” sang the goading Liverpool fans as furious United supporters headed for the exits early.
By the final whistle, there were not even enough United fans to muster an audible boo. Ten Hag had talked about them bringing the “fire” against Liverpool. They tried. Did his team? No, instead they went up in flames.
This is not what Sir Jim Ratcliffe expected or surely demanded when he eventually decided to stick with Ten Hag in the summer, having considered all the candidates and taken his time after the FA Cup final win, but much more of this and it simply turns into a stay of execution. This kind of performance and result is unsustainable and inexcusable.
Inevitably the cameras found Ratcliffe in the directors’ box. Sitting next to his adviser Sir Dave Brailsford, and behind new chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth he had his head in his hand. No poker face there.
The verdicts have been that United have had a good transfer window – and they probably have – but where is the improvement? Of course, it has to be given time but do United have time? Such is the pace set in the Premier League that when Arsenal draw at home to Brighton it feels like a big set-back to their title hopes.
For Casemiro it, unfortunately, already looks like it is over. The 32-year-old Brazilian was rightly taken off at half-time – Ten Hag had no choice – after a torrid 45 minutes during which he was to blame for both of Liverpool’s goals and looked woefully off the pace. He was replaced by 20-year-old Toby Collyer who was making his league debut.
With the Saudi Pro-League transfer window closing on Monday United executives might frantically be hitting the phones to try and shift a player who will lose his place to new signing Manuel Ugarte, who was paraded before the fans before kick-off.
Ugarte’s signing was the only good news for United even if, suddenly, the poor guy must now be the saviour. Luis Diaz claimed both first-half goals – with a close-range header and a first-time shot after Casemiro lost the ball – with fine assists from Mohamed Salah.
And the irrepressible Salah himself swept the ball home in the second, after another United blunder with Kobbie Mainoo surrendering possession, to make it 10 goals in his last seven appearances at this stadium.
The only set-back for Liverpool? In the last season of his contract, Salah later claimed that no-one at the club had yet talked to him about a new deal and he expected to leave. That felt like a small grenade going off.
As for United’s star forward, Marcus Rashford, there has not even been a shot this season and on this form, the club would surely like to sell him eventually. When Rashford stayed on and Alejandro Garnacho was substituted, for Amad Diallo, there was a smattering of angry cries from the home stands.
You also fear with this United side that Mainoo, such a brilliant young talent at just 19, is already trying to do too much and is making mistakes that might be affecting his development. That is another danger; another thing for Ratcliffe to consider going into the first international break of the campaign.
Even this early it is clear what Slot is doing with Liverpool. They have an identity, already, that is moving them on from the Jurgen Klopp era and that is a testimony to good coaching. By contrast, United still look like a collection of individuals in search of a plan. And this is Ten Hag’s third season.
When they are pressed, they panic. The pick of their players was Matthijs de Ligt, who was making his first start and began well. But even the centre-half began to make errors having surely wondered what he was letting himself in for.
It all looked too much for another new player, Joshua Zirkzee, who struggled with the speed of the game. But he was involved in United’s best chances, forcing Alisson into two saves and volleying back across goal. However, do not be fooled into thinking United suggested anything other than defeat and damage limitation. They were never in this game.
Wins over Liverpool have been precious, almost life-savers for Ten Hag in the past. In his first campaign, he lost the first league two games and then won the third – against Liverpool – in a rousing contest. Last season there was the extraordinary, dramatic 4-3 FA Cup win. Now this defeat feels like he has lost time; that he really is up against it; that once again the clock is ticking.
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Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3 – as it happened
07:16 PM BST
That’s all for now folks..
That brings the afternoon to a close. Another hammer blow for the Manchester United fans out there as the pressure once again cranks up on Erik ten Hag.
Liverpool fans, on the other hand, will be pinching themselves. Post-Jurgen Klopp this side look to be playing with a clarity and purpose that their opponents today could only dream of.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday. Thanks for reading.
07:11 PM BST
Again, sobering stuff
A follow on from that Salah stat…
Here’s a list of the players with the most goals at Old Trafford since January 24, 2021:
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Marcus Rashford (31)
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Bruno Fernandes (29)
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Cristiano Ronaldo (17)
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Scott McTominay (13)
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Mohamed Salah (10)
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Anthony Martial (10)
07:08 PM BST
Will Man Utd finish above Liverpool this season?
Gary Neville shrugs, and responds: “Why not?”
Queue raucous laughter from the other members of Sky’s panel at Old Trafford…
07:04 PM BST
‘Not a destination for top players’
Gary Neville on Sky Sports: “Manchester United is not a destination for top players in Europe. For the last ten years it’s been a graveyard.”
07:02 PM BST
Telling stat
Mo Salah has scored more goals at Old Trafford (10) than the following Man Utd players:
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Antony (7)
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Alejandro Garnacho (7)
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Rasmus Højlund (7)
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Edinson Cavani (7)
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Jadon Sancho (6)
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Memphis Depay (4)
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Alexis Sánchez (3)
06:57 PM BST
‘They bottled it’
“The ownership didn’t want to keep Ten Hag and they didn’t have the nerve to make the change. They bottled it,” says Jamie Carragher on Sky.
06:51 PM BST
More from Ten Hag…
…this time speaking to Sky Sports: “We made mistakes and they were very clinical in finishing. They did very well.
On questions over poor setup: “I don’t think so. If I see all the chances we conceded, I don’t think that’s what happened. We made mistakes. It was all individual errors. Maybe the last one you can debate where our double-six was. Liverpool did brilliant but the goals conceded expectations were not that high.
On Casemiro: “It is what the team needed. You know when you are 2-0 down against Liverpool you have to take more risks, it will be open. When you are losing you have to take more risks. I have to give compliments to the team. You have to keep fighting and sticking together.
“He knows the game. He will go on and we will go on. He’s a great player. We will continue this season to improve the team and the players.
“He improved and has shown so often that he is a great character. We all have seen great moments from him and him be decisive in midfield. He will show that again and will bounce back.”
Does it feel like last season?: “I don’t think you are right. You can see the XG we didn’t concede as many goals. I don’t think we are in the same pattern. It was sometimes open and we took risks. But I don’t want to talk about this after a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool. Well done Liverpool. We have to be humble and take it.
“There are many games to play and I know where we will be at the end of the season. We will go for trophies. That will stand.”
06:47 PM BST
‘It’s difficult when you make individual errors’
Erik ten Hag speaking to BeIN Sports: “Our start was okay despite the disallowed goal. We were wrong in terms of organisation there but then we came into the game. We made big mistakes after that and they are so clinical. Three great finishes, Liverpool deserved it.
“It’s difficult because when you make individual errors, Liverpool are so good in those situations. Our structures were right, especially for the first and second goal. You can’t change anything about our setup for those. Liverpool will kill you in those situations.
“It [taking Casemiro off] was tactical because we were 2-0 down and against Liverpool you need legs in the midfield. You need a young player in there to keep the midfield closed.
“Nothing can be changed until after the international break but the team stuck together and fought together until the end. They showed resilience.”
06:37 PM BST
‘Terrible’
Gary Neville calls Man Utd “terrible” when in possession deep in their own half.
06:35 PM BST
‘It’s a good win’
Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaking to Sky Sports: “The first few minutes, United started aggressive and we had to fight our way through the period.
“If you go to Old Trafford we know there will be tough moments. After scoring a great goal which was disallowed we kept on playing as we were before. A deserved win I think.
“There is not a specific game-plan from the back, we always want to press the opponent high. The game-plan – Dominik [Szoboszlai] played from the right, but today we played him from the left.
“Last season Man Utd were man-marking on the midfield, this season they are on a nine and ten press with a 4-4-2. In my opinion they are working harder when the ball is played through them so they run more – that is what I saw in the first games from them.
“Today we showed a lot of moments where the forwards tracked back so aggressively and that is what we need if you want to win these games.
“We said they were going to press aggressively, but I showed them three moments where one situation that led to a chance for Mazraoui.
“Luis [Diaz] was not tracking back as he should. Those moments can change the game at Old Trafford.
“It’s a good win.”
06:23 PM BST
When a picture tells the story
06:19 PM BST
‘The game was tight’
Bruno Fernandes speaking to Sky Sports: “We started the game really well and got more chances. We have to be more clinical, this happened against Fulham too. They were clinical.
“The goals are always self-inflicted. You need to commit a mistake to give them the goal. We don’t need to be pointing fingers at everyone. that won’t help us now. When you concede a goal you can’t just point at one mistake. What’s the point in saying Casemiro lost the ball or Kobbie [Mainoo] lost the ball? They lost the ball because they wanted to be brave. It’s part of football. Don’t make it individual.
“Casemiro is more experienced than me. I don’t need to tell him anything, he knows what football is about. He’s played for the two best clubs in the world. Kobbie is an excellent kid. I want him to try more and do this because it’s part of his game. They are huge players for us and will keep being.
“We don’t have to look at the past. We just have to make it different. We lost the game, congratulations to Liverpool, they were more clinical. I don’t look at the stats but the game was tight.”
06:18 PM BST
Salah hints at exit
Speaking to Sky Sports: “A great result. Everyone knows the derby is important for the fans and the city. We need to carry on and if you want to fight for the league you have to win each game.
“I managed to be involved in three so I am happy about that. The manager likes us to press high and there was a couple of mistakes and we managed to use them – it was part of the plan.
“With Jurgen we were always like this to get the ball as high as possible. Quite similar from seven years ago, the manager has his own system and we try to adapt that.
“I had a good summer, a long time to stay with myself and think positively a bit, this is my last year with the club and I want to enjoy it.
“I feel I am free to play football – we will see what happens next year.
“Nobody in the club has talked to me yet about contracts, so okay I’ll play my last season and we’ll see at the end of the season. It’s not up to me.”
06:17 PM BST
Ten Hag’s look
Erik ten Hag spent the first few minutes after the final whistle walking around the Old Trafford pitch, applauding the few fans who had bothered to stay. He look bedraggled as he has done so many times before. Change has not come to Old Trafford on the early evidence of this season.
06:12 PM BST
‘Everyone is working their socks off’
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson speaking to Sky Sports: “You are right. I [still] love Jurgen Klopp. I will love him for the rest of my life, he knows that.
“But the determination, the quality of our manager [Arne Slot] and the way he works… He demands from the team.
“Everyone is working their socks off. It’s a third clean sheet in a row. It is not only that we are saving them at the back – the team is working so hard. This is the mentality that the manager wants us to have.”
Allison translating an answer from Luis Diaz: “He’s very happy to score goals and help the team. He said the most important thing is the team is doing well and winning these important games.
“He’s looking forward to the rest. He is so happy and he wants to keep that rhythm and keep going.
“He says it’s what we, as strikers, have to do – score goals and get assists. He will keep working in a humble way to help the team achieve our goals.”
06:11 PM BST
The autopsy begins
“United were shocking,” say Roy Keane on Sky Sports. Sounds about right.
06:10 PM BST
Entertaining moment in the gantry
06:06 PM BST
All smiles this week
06:05 PM BST
Not a pretty sight…
…for Man Utd’s new owners.
06:01 PM BST
Reality check
Manchester United sit 14th heading into the international break…
05:59 PM BST
A dream start
Arne Slot is the first Liverpool manager to win his first away league game against Manchester United in 88 years. Additionaly that’s three games, three wins, seven goals scored and zero goals conceded.
Ten Hag will hog the majority of the headlines but what a day this is for the new Liverpool manager.
A superb performance from his side.
05:56 PM BST
FULL TIME: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3
That’s it. Delight for Liverpool and the exact opposite for Man Utd. It feels like a lot more of the same for the hosts.
There are boos at the final whistle and there would ahve been more had Old Trafford not almost emptied already.
05:53 PM BST
90+3 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3
Old Trafford is more than half empty as we approach the final whistle. Those that have stayed, have stayed to boo you suspect.
05:52 PM BST
90+2 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3
Five minutes of time added on at Old Trafford. Expect a serious round of boos at the final whistle.
05:51 PM BST
90+1 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3
Delightful from Salah. His cushioned take sets Szoboszlai clear before the ball is cut back to Gakpo. He’s scythed down by Martinez only for the ball to fall to Nunez. He has a clear sight of goal but the ball just slides wide.
05:48 PM BST
Make no mistake…
…this has been happening from much earlier in the second half.
05:47 PM BST
86 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3
In a moment that perhaps underlines how ineffective United have been this afternoon, Bruno Fernandes skies his effort a good 20-metres over the bar.
05:46 PM BST
Not a surprise but still impressive
10 – Mo Salah has scored 10 goals in nine appearances at Old Trafford for Liverpool in all competitions. He is only the second player to score 10+ goals at a single away ground for Premier League clubs since 1992-93, after Alan Shearer (10 at Elland Road). Thanos. pic.twitter.com/y7ZAMVTANr
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 1, 2024
05:43 PM BST
82 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3
Nunez is just a step behind a wonderful ball from Robertson. How he, and everyone connected to Liverpool, would love to see him get a goal.
05:42 PM BST
Food for thought…
05:41 PM BST
80 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3
Szoboszlai is called ‘unprofessional’ by Gary Neville on comms after he fails, with no real reason to put Liverpool 4-0 up. He has a clear chance to shoot inside the area but takes a touch before trying to dribble through a stakes United defensive line. As they say in the old country…just stick the laces through it son.
05:39 PM BST
78 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3
Rashord whips in a wonderful ball towards Zirkzee. It’s a brilliant pass but the striker gets his effort all wrong. Another wasted chance.
05:37 PM BST
76 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3
Alexander-Arnold is replaced by Connor Bradley. There does not seem to be any of the same issues that we saw last week. Big smiles from the right-back as he departs the field. Darwin Nunez has also entered the fray.
05:33 PM BST
73 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3
Martinez attempts an acrobatic bicycle kick after a ball in from Diallo. Better from the hosts in the last five minutes. Fairly low bar though.
05:32 PM BST
71 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3
Rashord attacks Alexander-Arnold but the Liverpool man wins the exchange inside the area before Salah clears. Better from Rashford though. A modicum of intent at least.
05:29 PM BST
69 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3
Mac Allister fouls Garnacho just outside the area. Decent chance this. Maguire replaces De Ligt. Diallo replaces Garnacho…loud boos greet the latter.
05:27 PM BST
67 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3
Szoboszlai pings in a delicious cross towards Gakpo, who frees himself with some clever movement before fizzing the header wide. Liverpool’s threat very much remains.
05:26 PM BST
65 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3
De Ligt clatters, and when I say clatters I really mean clatters, Diaz. Liverpool crack on with the advantage but Jota butchers a chance to put Salah in at the back post.
05:25 PM BST
63 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3
Brilliant save from Alisson but Zirkzee should score. Rashford lifts a ball into the area and the striker just peels off the back. He has a clear header but it’s close enough to the Liverpool keeper.
05:21 PM BST
60 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3
United are all at sea here. No shape, no composure and they are being picked apart by Liverpool. Rashford is booed mercilessly for not taking on a one-on-one with Konate.
05:19 PM BST
58 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3
Salah breaks into the area again but skies it! It should be 4-0. Moments later Slaah has another chance only to see his effort deflected wide. This is getting very, very ugly for United.
05:16 PM BST
GOAL! Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3 (Salah)
Oh no. Casemiro’s gone but more United midfield errors pile up. Mac Allister shrugs Mainoo off the ball and feeds Szoboszlai. His pass to Salah is neat and Salah does the buisness inside the area.
05:16 PM BST
54 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 2
Ryan Gravenberch has been outstanding in this game thus far. His ability to just glide past defenders in the middle of the pitch has been a constant thorn in United’s side. He’s seen to good effect when playing part in a cutting Liverpool attack down the right. Alexander-Arnold strikes it clean inside the area. Martinez does well to get the block in.
05:13 PM BST
52 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 2
Collyer has slipped into left-back with Dalot moving inside to add a little more ballast to United’s spine. First real action of the half sees Alisson get down well to a decent effort from Zirkzee.
05:11 PM BST
49 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 2
We are back underway and thankfully Mazraoui is fine to continue.
05:07 PM BST
45 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 2
Mazraoui is down after picking up a knock to the back of the head. It looks like an errant knee from Jota did the damage. Let’s hope he’s okay.
05:06 PM BST
Casemiro off
Not a suprise in truth. Toby Collyer is on to replace him.
05:05 PM BST
The players are back out…
…for a lot of reasons this is going be a very interesting and consequential 45 minutes of Premier League football.
05:01 PM BST
Half-time verdict
A chorus of boos from United fans greeted the half-time whistle and there is going to have to be a huge improvement in the second half if Ten Hag’s team are to get something out of this game – or to avoid things getting any worse. Both Liverpool goals emanated from mistakes by Casemiro, who has been wretched, and United just keep being overwhelmed through the middle. It’s a new look side but familar problems.
04:50 PM BST
HALF TIME: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 2
We’ve been here before. ANOTHER massive half-time for Erik ten Hag. He, and his side, are staring down the barrel. If Liverpool score first in the second half, then the rhetoric and reaction are not going to be kind.
04:47 PM BST
45+1 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 2
Mainoo is lucky to avoid a yellow card after a cynical foul in the middle of the pitch. Ironic cheers go up from the travelling support as Casemiro again gives the ball away. You’d be shocked if he got another 45 minutes here. Mainoo is finally booked for a similar foul to the one moments before.
04:42 PM BST
GOAL! Man Utd 0 Liverpool 2 (Diaz)
Great goal.
Old Trafford is silenced and Casemiro is again to blame. He’s dispossessed by Diaz before the ball finds its way to Salah on the right. His pass into Diaz is utterly superb and the Colombian’s finish is equally good. Low and fizzing past Onana.
04:41 PM BST
40 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 1
Alisson is called into action and does well to get in the way of a stinging shot from Mazraoui then goes through several bodies. Liverpool scramble the ball away and counter but Mainoo is there to make the necessary challenge. All-action stuff at the end of the first half.
04:38 PM BST
37 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 1
Casemiro has plenty of detractors last season and that kind of mistake was why…
04:34 PM BST
GOAL! Man Utd 0 Liverpool 1 (Diaz)
There it is and it’s Casemiro to blame. He gives the ball away in a terrible position and Gravenberch drives down the right. Salah’s chipped cross to the back post is so inviting and Diaz does well to avoid team-mate Szoboszlai to get a good header on it. Onana has no chance.
Gravenberch has been superb for Liverpool. Alive to everything, a driving force in midfield and plays a key part in punishing Casemiro for the sloppiest of passes – intercepting the ball, surging forward and finding Salah on the right who stands up the perfect cross for Diaz. Casemiro seemed to be aiming for Dalot but got nowhere near to finding his man.
04:33 PM BST
32 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 0
Awful corner kick routine from Liverpool launches another United counter. The ball finds its way to Garnacho on the right but his options are limited, with a neat dink into the area the best option. Fernandes has a swing at it but Liverpool have the situation fully under control in truth.
04:30 PM BST
30 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 0
Poor from Fernandes as he looks for an ambitious crossfield pass to Rashford rather than play the percentages on the counter attack. At the other end, another timely intervention from De Ligt robs Jota of a chance to shoot. The Dutchman has been excellent on his debut thus far.
04:28 PM BST
27 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 0
Not sure either of these sides could really say they’ve played well in that opening 25 minutes. Both have flashed but there has been a lot of careless work on the ball, which in turn has allowed the other to launch attacks which for the most part have come to nothing.
Atmosphere is cracking. Football, a touch disappointing.
04:26 PM BST
By accident? I think not
04:25 PM BST
25 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 0
Garnacho picks the ball up in the centre circle and tries to feed a ball into Rashord but Konate is there to shut the attack down. Moments later, Alexander-Arnold pings a sumptuous ball out to Salah on the right wing. Gravenberch then gives the ball away in head-scratching fashion when in excellent position.
04:22 PM BST
22 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 0
The pace of the game has steadied a touch after that quick start. To be expected in truth. Neither of these sides are built in the same style as Klopp’s previous Liverpool sides, who embraced chaos and speed in games more than anything else.
04:19 PM BST
19 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 0
Diaz is blown for a slight nudge on Casemiro as they both go for a dropping ball. The subsequent interception from referee Anthony Taylor is both surprising and impressive. For some reason I always thought referees had two left feet. I’m happy to be proved wrong.
04:17 PM BST
17 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 0
Garacho had his first chance to run at Robertson after careless work from Diaz in the middle of the pitch. The response from Old Trafford when he gets the ball in space is different to any other player in red. Genuine excitement.
04:15 PM BST
14 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 0
Liverpool are brave playing out from the back but they get a warning of how things can go wrong. Alexander-Arnold fizzes a ball into Szoboszlai but the latter’s touch is far too heavy and suddenly United have a great platform from which to launch an attack. Rashford wins a corner.
04:13 PM BST
‘Lessons and warnings for United’
Liverpool’s goal may have been ruled out but there were lessons and warnings for United there. Mainoo was on the wrong side of Gravenberch and allowed the Liverpool midfielder to turn too easily from Van Dijk’s pass before setting off on that driving diagonal run. Don’t get me wrong, it was a superb turn and run from the Liverpool man but United can’t allow themselves to be opened up too easily like that.
04:10 PM BST
10 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 0
Plenty to like about Liverpool going forward. The incisive passing from the back into midfield is cracking United’s defensive shape and allowing plenty of space for the likes of Gravenberch to run into.
04:08 PM BST
8 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 0
Well this is already a lot of fun….
04:08 PM BST
NO GOAL
Mo Salah was offside in the build-up and Diaz cut the ball across the face of goal. Alexander-Arnold finished at the back post but Slaah was clearly offside.
04:06 PM BST
GOAL! Man Utd 0 Liverpool 1 (Alexander-Arnold)
Wow….
A superb pass from Van Dijk starts the move….BUT
04:05 PM BST
‘Lapses in our game management’
Interesting from Ten Hag in his programme notes talking about how “the lapses in our game management” for both of Brighton’s goals in last week’s 2-1 defeat had “given us a lot to work on during this week”. The United manager said they have “not been overreacting to it” but it’s clear they will have to manage those moments better against Liverpool if they want to get anything out of this game.
04:05 PM BST
5 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 0
Neither side looks especially assured at the back. Liverpool’s first attack has plenty of danger about it. Van Dijk makes a lovely intervention and drives forward but his ball to Jota is a touch too heavy and forces the striker wide.
04:04 PM BST
3 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 0
Liverpool are so open here early on. Bruno Fernandes has acres of space to run into. The shot looks on but he opts to cut a speculative ball to Zirkzee, who can’t bring it under control.
04:02 PM BST
2 mins: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 0
Sharp start from the hosts, with Garnacho and Mainoo linking up well to launch an attack down the left. Rashford then slips past Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool have to scramble the ball away for a corner.
04:00 PM BST
Kick-off: Man Utd 0 Liverpool 0
Annnnddddd we’re off at Old Trafford. Lock and load.
03:57 PM BST
Here come the sides…
…kick-off at Old Trafford moments away.
03:55 PM BST
‘It is huge’
Kobbie Mainoo, speaking to Sky Sports: “It is huge, we all know how big it is. We are trying to take that mentality into the game and win.”
Hard to disagree really.
03:54 PM BST
First sighting of…
..Man Utd’s new signing Manuel Ugarte.
Manuel Ugarte has just walked out to a rapturous reception from the Old Trafford faithful as United parade their new £42m signing from Paris Saint Germain. The Uruguay midfielder ineligible to face Liverpool because his transfer was not processed in time but will be involved after the international break.
03:49 PM BST
The Rashford dilemma….
Sky’s premium duo on Manchester United’s talented but frustrating winger.
03:45 PM BST
The scene at Old Trafford…
…and, yes, that is marathon and general long-distance running great Eliud Kipchoge.
03:41 PM BST
‘We rise to the occasion’
Erik ten Hag speaks to Sky Sports: “It is not about Matthijs [de Ligt] for Maguire. We have a good squad we can pick and in the approach to an opponent against a fluid opposition, Matthijs fits better.
“We are quite good in certain circumstances, we rise to the occasion. We love to play in such circumstances – we are really looking forward to it.”
On Arne Slot’s style: “Everyone has seen, it is not a secret.
“In possession there is less go straight forward. It is more calm and composed, one of their strength is attacking transitions – we have to be ready for this.
“What is still the strength is their pressing, they have a good press and a very aggressive press.”
03:37 PM BST
One from 12…
For all Ten Hag’s pre-match patter about his side having been better than Liverpool since he took over, the number simply suggests otherwise.
Man Utd have won one of their last 12 Premier League fixtures against Liverpool. It’s easy to see why Gary Neville has just said that this is a game that the hosts can’t afford to lose.
03:33 PM BST
Dalot’s importance to Man Utd
Diogo Dalot has gone from having an uncertain future at Manchester United at the start of Erik Ten Hag’s reign to being one of his manager’s most reliable defenders. He is up against Mohamed Salah today and his stats this season have put him up there with the best full-backs in the Premier League.
Ahead of the weekend he ranked first in clearances (5), tied with Matty Cash, and first in aerial battles won (4), alongside Lucas Digne. He was second for interceptions (3), with only his teammate Noussair Mazraoui ahead of him. Dalot was also second in tackles (4), trailing only Destiny Udogie and Digne.
Going forward he has had 151 touches and an 89 per cent pass success rate, with four crosses and one big chance created.
03:30 PM BST
‘It means nothing if we don’t win’
Diogo Jota, who makes his 100th Premier League appearance for Liverpool, speaks to Sky: “From the moment I arrived I wanted to be part of this football club as long as you can as it means you are doing something right – it is a good mark, but it means nothing if we don’t win.
“I started playing and it is up to me to deserve that, he [Arne Slot] keeps trusting me.
“We know from this moment that we have a lot of games and everyone will have a chance to play. Anyone who starts wants to help.”
03:25 PM BST
Garnacho returns
It has been curious to see Alejandro Garnacho left on the bench for Man Utd’s first two matches this season. Many a United fan will tell you that he was their most consistent attacking threat last season and so after a muted start to the campaign, it’s not surprise to see the Argentine return to the starting XI this afternoon.
03:19 PM BST
‘We were dominant’
Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaks to Sky Sports: “We all understand that this is a special game in English football and we have tried to prepare in the best possible way.
“United showed last season that in a cup final they could even beat Man City. You know how much quality is in this team and they have brought a couple of extra players in.
“On both games [this season in the Premier League] we were dominant and I would be surprised if that was the case today. There will be times today which will be difficult and I am curious how we react to that.”
On Ten Hag: “We faced each other as a player.
“He was at Ajax when I was at Feyenoord [as managers] and they had a strong team – they won the league a few times in a row.
“It is always difficult to face his team as they are well organised and structured.”
03:18 PM BST
What do you reckon?
Erik ten Hag: Manchester United have been better than Liverpool since I arrived…..
That was a headline on Telegraph Sport yesterday. In terms of head-to-head, Ten Hag might just have a point but in general it still feels like a tenuous position to take.
Last season, most Man Utd fans would have bitten your hand off if you offered them the momentum and feeling of excitement that enveloped Anfield during Jurgen Klopp’s final season in charge.
Not sure you could say the same about the general feeling of malcontent at Old Trafford. But hey…maybe I’m wrong. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
03:01 PM BST
All smiles
United manager Erik ten Hag clashed with Roy Keane last season, questioning the United legend-turned-firebrand pundit’s managerial record, but the duo seemed to be on good terms when they met at the stadium earlier this afternoon.
02:52 PM BST
Liverpool’s team for today
Liverpool name the same team who beat Brentford last weekend. New signing Federico Chiesa is not in the squad.
02:51 PM BST
Man Utd line-up
Manchester United give first starts to summer signings Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutch duo, and Alejandro Garnacho, are the three changes from the side who lost to Brighton last weekend.
Mason Mount (hamstring), Harry Maguire and Amad Diallo drop out.
02:40 PM BST
Robertson: Liverpool ‘calmer’ under Slot
Andy Robertson has said that Arne Slot is a calmer personality than Jurgen Klopp, but just as good a communicator and meticulous in his eye for detail.
The Scotland international also believes that the changes made in a bid to make Liverpool more defensively secure this season have benefitted the team.
Two clean sheets in the opening two Premier League games of the season against Ipswich and Brentford would indeed suggest his tweaks are working, but Robertson acknowledges today’s visit to Old Trafford will be a better indicator of any progress made.
“It is different, of course it is,” he said. “Klopp was unbelievable in terms of communicating with you and understanding the person and things like that. But I think the club has signed a very similar manager.
“The manager now is a little bit more calmer in these situations but he wants to know the person as well as the player and his attention to detail is second to none. He and his staff work tirelessly every single day and we see that. And then it is up to us to implement it.
“Has he had a rant yet? No, well maybe a couple! So far the start has been excellent. I think everyone has enjoyed it, everyone has enjoyed learning a new way of playing, a new style, trying to implement the manager’s ideas and things like that.
Slot has attempted to tighten Liverpool up with specific instructions to every player, including full-backs Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“Everyone has been asked to do different things,” added Robertson. “It’s a completely new way of playing and while there are certain elements that are similar, other elements are different. Every player in every position has got new things to do and new things to think about – including me and Trent.
“We still have that freedom to help our wingers and overlap, but defensively we have worked on certain things to hopefully become more defensively secure as a unit.
“In the first two games you have seen that. Two clean sheets. We couldn’t have asked for more – and we hope we can keep that going and win at Manchester United.”
02:26 PM BST
Ten Hag stirs the pot
It wouldn’t be a Manchester United-Liverpool battle without some pre-match bluster from one of the sides. It’s as much a part of this Biggest Match In The Premier League TM as flying tackles, yellow cards and a Mohamed Salah goal.
This time around it’s the turn of Erik ten Hag to dip his oar in and up the ante. No harm in that per se, but his choice of words may well invite ridicule, as the Dutchman argued that United have been better than Liverpool since his arrival at Old Trafford.
“Listen, behind City we won the most trophies over the last two years so we performed better than anyone else,” Ten Hag said in a defiant defence of his turbulent spell in charge at Old Trafford.
“That’s the reality, those are the facts. This year we want to win trophies and I am quite confident we will build to this.
“That is what I have done for the last 11 years so I am just patient and waiting. We will work on the process, we have to improve the process and aim for our next targets, which is going for trophies.”
Many thought Ten Hag was fortunate to keep his job this summer, and after two matches which once again pose more questions than offer answers – an edgy 1-0 win over Fulham, and a last-minute loss at Brighton – some might have thought that silence over questionable claims would have been the better course of action.
But this is a match were half the fun comes from the pre and post-match nonsense and, to be fair to Ten Hag, there was the more conventional ‘let’s take the game to them’ type chat as well.
“I’m sure the fans are ready for [the match] and together with us to take the fire to this good challenge. The fans are excited, the team is excited and in togetherness we will go for it,” the United manager said.
Stay here for all the team news, pre-match build-up and action, with kick-off set at 4pm.
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