Manchester United were finally supposed to start their season. After a promising transfer window and keeping Erik ten Hag on their bench, the Red Devils had a sluggish victory against Fulham, before collapsing at Brighton. They therefore had to make their mark against Liverpool, this Sunday, at Old Trafford, against an attractive Liverpool team in great form since the start of the season. With Zirkzee, Rashford, Garnacho, Mazraoui, De Ligt and Mainoo lined up, MU were preparing for a first test against the Reds in a classic formation, with Salah, Szoboszlai and Diaz supporting Jota.
The Red Devils had been attractive at the start of the match, but quickly narrowly missed being surprised by Alexander-Arnold, but Salah was offside on the action (6th). This calmed MU down a little, who still quickly tried to play quickly to find Garnacho and Rashford, without success. And after a completely missed pass from Casemiro, Gravenberch was able to combine with Salah, who found Diaz, all alone at the far post, to open the scoring with a header (1-0, 35th).
Manchester United have given up
Feverish defensively and even worrying in the recovery of the balls, the Red Devils left the field open to Liverpool. On a new loss of the ball by Casemiro, Salah was found and could offer another decisive pass for Diaz, who offered himself a double. After the break, Zirkzee tried to sound the revolt, but, there again, the new recruit rubbed shoulders with Alisson (52nd), while Rashford and Garnacho showed themselves to be far too little danger. And behind, Salah could nail the suspense with a beautiful strike from the left (3-0, 56th).
Manchester United tried to do better afterwards with Zirkzee, the only dangerous element of the Red Devils, but Alisson was there to calm him down (63rd and 78th). Disillusioned and booed by his supporters, MU still can’t do it and suffers a second defeat in a row before the international break. They will have to do much better in Southampton, for the restart. For their part, the Reds are still in the lead, along with Manchester City and with a third success acquired in three days. A good omen for Arne Slot, who also confirms that he is the right choice to succeed Jürgen Klopp.
