The first game of a manager’s reign is always an exciting prospect. It’s a fresh start. It’s a new beginning. It’s a new era. And it was an incredible 4-0 victory against Liverpool.
After the 2021/2022 season that Manchester United experienced, it’s a prospect that the club and its supporters must have been relishing ever since the day Erik ten Hag was announced as the permanent successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
To the Old Trafford faithful’s pleasure, Manchester United recorded an impressive 4-0 victory over their long-time rivals, putting up proof that the players are absorbing the lessons that Erik ten Hag has spent the past days and weeks imparting to them on the training ground.
Advert
Here is how UtdDistrict rated the Reds’ performance against Liverpool:
First half XI:
David de Gea - 7/10
There were several question marks around David de Gea’s suitability to play Erik ten Hag’s style of football. However, it looks like the new United boss has settled on the Spaniard to be his starting keeper (for the 22/23 season at least) with Dean Henderson sent out on loan for the season.
Advert
De Gea performed well, overall, his shot stopping quality on full display. His distribution left much to be desired however it seems that he has increased his proactivity in sweeping.
Diogo Dalot - 6/10
Competing for the starting RB position with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Diogo Dalot performed to a decent quality. Did not have any standout impact in attack but was not a clear liability in defence either. Dalot did well to get a shot away and bruised the bar.
Victor Lindelöf - 7/10
Iceman. With Harry Maguire having picked up a knock during one of the training sessions, Lindelöf partnered Varane in the heart of defence. Assured defensively and positive in possession, it was a good outing in Thailand for the Swede.
Raphael Varane - 6/10
After having an injury plagued first season at Manchester United, the expectations are high on the French defender purchased from Real Madrid. Varane performed to a decent quality against Liverpool. Supporters must hope they can see the best from the imperious centre-back in the red of Manchester United.
Luke Shaw - 7/10
Now one of three (four if you include Brandon Williams) first team left-backs at the club. Luke Shaw performed well despite the now added competition from new signing Tyrell Malacia. Calm defensively, Shaw’s passing was quality and he combined to a good extent with his left-winger and left central-midfielder.
Scott McTominay - 6/10
A regular starter under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, Scott McTominay must be eager to try and feature to the same extent under Erik ten Hag. Performed decently in the first half with some good passing however there were moments of sloppiness which Ten Hag will look to eradicate over the coming weeks on the training ground.
Fred - 8/10
The second half of the ‘McFred’ duo. Fred was, as he always is, a livewire of activity in the first half. He moved the ball around well and didn’t commit any careless mistakes. He capped off his evening with an audacious chip to give United their second goal of the tie.
Jadon Sancho - 9/10
The standout attacker of the first half. Jadon Sancho dazzled the crowd in Bangkok with his trickery and his intelligence in the final third. For United supporters that are eager to see a glimpse of the mercurial winger forged in the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, the winger that has crossed the Manchester divide, the signs look good. United’s #25 scored a lovely goal to open United’s game and pre-season account.
Bruno Fernandes - 8/10
If there’s one thing Manchester United have in their squad, it’s quality attacking midfielders. With Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de Beek and reportedly Christian Eriksen joining the ranks soon as well, there’s no shortage. The competition for his position has never been greater.
Advert
However, Bruno Fernandes performed very maturely against Liverpool. Gone was the “heroball” and here was the measured magician. A pass Bruno Fernandes made that sliced through the entire Liverpool side to find Jadon Sancho was ridiculously good.
Marcus Rashford - 7/10
Coming from a season with doubts everywhere about the man and the quality that he offers. No longer a roaring youngster, Marcus Rashford has a lot to prove this season. He has to prove his calibre to his new manager, to the United supporters, and to himself. The England international had a good outing, getting a couple of shots away on target and showing that he’s applying himself greatly to Erik ten Hag’s footballing ideals.
Anthony Martial - 8/10
Arguably the attacker from this front three with the most to prove this season. Torrid doesn’t quite cover how dismal the Frenchman’s 2021/2022 season was. Devoid of opportunities at Manchester United with the presence of Edinson Cavani and the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, Martial asked Ralf Rangnick to leave the club.
Advert
His fortunes weren’t better in Spain however, with a poor loan spell at Sevilla. That said, Martial’s back and events seem to have conspired to keep him at Manchester United for the 2022/2023 season. He’s smiling again and his uplifted mood did translate to a good performance against Liverpool. Pressing well from the front and moving diligently to maintain the shape of the team out of possession, Martial managed to wrap up his evening with the one metric that attackers crave more than any other… a goal.
Second Half XI:
Tom Heaton - 6/10
The goalkeeper made a solid save against Darwin Nunez towards the end of the game.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 6/10
A player that many said has no future under Erik ten Hag because of his perceived struggles in possession. Wan-Bissaka had a decent outing, replacing Diogo Dalot at half-time.
Eric Bailly - 9/10
Another player whose future at United is anything but certain with a sketchy injury record and with United on the hunt for another CB with Lisandro Martinez seeming to be the chief target. Bailly performed very well in the second half against Liverpool. Snuffing out Liverpool attacks and dealing admirably with the threat of Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah. Bailly’s comfort in progressing up the field was instrumental to United’s 4th goal.
Alex Telles - 6/10
A player threatened most with the arrival of Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord. Alex Telles performed decently at center-back, a position quite unfamiliar to the Brazilian left-back.
Tyrell Malacia - 7/10
A United debut for Tyrell Malacia. Erik ten Hag’s first signing took over from Luke Shaw in the second half and performed well. Malacia appeared comfortable on the ball and was able to rove up and down the left flank comfortably.
Zidane Iqbal - 7/10
Playing in central midfield alongside Charlie Savage, Iqbal performed well. The youngster didn’t seem fazed and had numerous moments where his calmness on the ball shone in the middle of the park.
Charlie Savage - 6/10
Another Carrington product, Charlie Savage did well in the engine room alongside fellow youngster Zidane Iqbal. Not showing an iota of nerves, Savage moved the ball well. There were a few moments of nervousness in United’s own box but that’s easily excusable for the 19 year old.
Facundo Pellistri - 8/10
The Uruguayan international, signed in 2020 alongside Amad Diallo but yet to make a competitive debut for United. Pellistri did well against Liverpool, putting in the effort to track back very diligently to support Aaron Wan-Bissaka and scored United’s 4th goal well. The youngster will be looking to build on this to try and stake his claim to remain at Old Trafford for the upcoming season as opposed to another loan spell.
Donny van de Beek - 6/10
Barely given opportunities under the managerial tenures of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, it’s arguable that Donny celebrated the announcement of Erik ten Hag’s appointment as the next United manager more than any other player in the squad. With questions still there about where he will operate for the majority of the coming season, Donny must at least rest assured knowing that he’s under the guidance of the manager that forged him in the first place.
Anthony Elanga - 6/10
The youngster that was probably the poster boy of Ralf Rangnick’s reign as Interim Manager at United, Elanga put in a decent shift in the second half. Elanga primarily operated on the left wing, replacing Marcus Rashford at half-time.
Amad Diallo - 7/10
Another youngster that has just returned from loan in Scotland, Amad has the unique trait of being one of only two left-footed forwards in the first team at United. With Ten Hag’s adoration for Antony on the right, Amad must be hoping he can perform to a level where the United manager opts to keep him at Old Trafford for the coming season as opposed to sending him out on loan. His composure in the final third was a crucial part in assisting Pellistri for United’s fourth goal of the night.
Featured Image Credit: Getty ImagesTopics: Erik Ten Hag, Football, Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool, Manchester United, Anthony Martial, Fred, Jadon Sancho, Facundo Pellistri