Manchester United Destroy Liverpool 4-0 In Erik Ten Hag's First Game

Manchester United kicked off their pre-season preparations with a trouncing 4-0 win over Liverpool in what was a successful first game in charge for new manager Erik ten Hag.

The two rivals played out a huge friendly fixture Rajamangala National Stadium in front of more than 50,000 fans in Bangkok.

But it was United who recorded the victory and lifted the Bangkok Century Cup. Jadon Sancho opened the scoring with a tidy finish just 12 minutes in before Fred doubled the lead with the goal of the game.

Sancho Goal Vs Liverpool #mufc pic.twitter.com/5PYxfTGv0F

— Manchester United Red Devils News (@Ammadutd) July 12, 2022

Fred really just did this to put Manchester United 2-0 up against Liverpool 😮#MUNLIV pic.twitter.com/C5D10xP14D

— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) July 12, 2022

The Brazilian midfielder outwitted his compatriot Alisson Becker with an audacious right-footed chip that looped on the half hour mark.

And then Anthony Martial got in on the act three minutes later to make it a scoring return following a loan spell at Sevilla at the backend of last season.

Martial Goal vs Liverpool #MUNLIV #LIVMUN #ManchesterUnited #united pic.twitter.com/xMWCjMablp

— Has_Utd (@has_utd) July 12, 2022

Pellistri goal vs Liverpool (4-0) #mufc

Follow and retweet ✅

pic.twitter.com/MARb3Y6xxX

— United Goals ⚽️ (@UnitedGoals__) July 12, 2022

In the second half, Uruguayan youngster Facundo Pelistri wrapped up the win after a storming counter attack that was started by a marauding run from defender Eric Bailly.

United began with the stronger starting XI with a team not far off being full strength, whereas Liverpool's side included plenty of youngsters and new signing Fabio Carvalho.

The Carabao and FA Cup winners took a 37-man squad to the Far East, however, and Jurgen Klopp was able to play 32 players in total - including changing all TEN outfield players on two separate occasions in the fixture.

Stars like Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson got valuable minutes in the second half, while £85 million record signing Darwin Nunez was handed his debut.

United's side in the second 45 minutes was largely fringe players and youngsters, with fans getting a glimpse of new addition Tyrell Malacia following his move from Feyenoord.

The next stage of United's tour will see them travel to Melbourne and Perth for games against Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.

They will then play last season's Champions League round of 16 opponents Atletico Madrid, before completing their pre-season schedule with a game against another La Liga outfit in Rayo Vallecano, at Old Trafford on 31 July.

As for Liverpool, they will play Palace in Singapore before travelling to play both Red Bull outfits - LeipzIg and Salzburg - in the same week.

They then have the small matter of the Community Shield against Premier League champions Manchester City at the King Power Stadium, with a final friendly against RC Strasbourg arranged for just a day later.