Manchester United claimed a surprising but brilliant win against Liverpool.
This Manchester United team under insurmountable pressure, taking knocks to their confidence and tonnes of criticism week in week out with angry fans protesting before the game pulled off a stunning win.
Finally, after what seems like an age, against all odds United fans have something to celebrate, that too against one of the world’s best sides. There were plenty of interesting sub-plots (as there always is with Manchester United) to digest that came from the game.
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Here are five things we learned from Manchester United vs Brighton:
#1 Manchester United fight back with heart
As the 2021-22 campaign came to a close it was obvious many players had mentally checked out. Toxicity in the dressing room and rancour had led many to question the attitude and heart of these players. The basics of putting in 100% even when things aren’t going their way.
Liverpool was a complete turnaround and for the first time in a long time, the players fought for the shirt and rose to the occasion at just the right time. Aerial duels, tenacious tackles, players just caring and grappling with their problems head on. The pressure cooker was rising and these United players answered their critics emphatically.
#2 Ten Hag’s bold changes pay off
Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Cristiano Ronaldo were all left out, and it was noticeable that players in those three positions were magnificent. Raphael Varane may not be the best ball progressor but Champions League Varane lived up to his name tonight, him and Martinez were imperious as the United goal came under siege especially late on when United began to tire.
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Tyrell Malacia meanwhile provided an assist for the goal and kept Mo Salah largely quiet. In the face of the adversity Ten Hag stuck to his guns and gambled, it paid off.
#3 New signings Malacia and Lisandro Martinez show their quality
Lisandro Martinez has borne the rather unfair brunt of being the new Man United signing with around 150 think pieces relating to his height questioning whether he is too short for the Premier League.
Martinez was not only astute in defence but also picked a pass or two excellently but clearly knew what it meant to gain that extra bit of adrenaline in a fixture such as this. The odd bump, leaving his leg in, the shove here and there, the Liverpool players can’t have enjoyed it.
Malacia was electric, all-action, a tad rash at times but was assured in dealing with one of the league’s toughest flanks in attack but also joined the attack superbly.
#4 United torment Liverpool’s defence with runs in behind
It was a cornerstone of the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer managed Man United, Rashford, Martial, Fernandes running in behind using their pace, this was the same tactic that caused Liverpool constant headaches.
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Elanga, Rashford, Sancho and then Martial’s quick pace and trickery had Virgil Van Dijk and co., constantly on the back foot. It now begs the question that after a win in such a manner where does it leave the Cristiano Ronaldo conundrum?
The win can kick-start the season but there is still work to do
The horror show of Brighton and then Brentford felt like they were paraded on every TV screen in the world, it is hard to emphases it enough that the weight of the world was on everyone’s shoulders at United tonight, but it is 100% a performance to build upon.
United did tire in the second half, and instead of playing out from the back with De Gea kicking long, it will be intriguing to see whether Ten Hag will stick to a similar plan of sort of sitting in and countering out of possession and not really building from the back.
Featured Image Credit: Manchester UnitedTopics: Liverpool, Manchester United, Premier League, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Jadon Sancho