Eric Ten Hag fulfilled his dream as a Manchester United coach after his 4-0 friendly victory over Liverpool in Bangkok.
How much of a meeting between United and Liverpool can be considered 'friendly' is up for debate and new Old Trafford boss Eric Ten Hag will be pleased with what he has seen at Rajamangala Stadium.
Jurgen Klopp kept his promise to pick 10 different stadiums for each half hour of competition, and Fred and Anthony Martial hit both sides with the first batch of sweeping changes, giving Jadon Sancho United a 12th-minute lead.
Facundo Pellistri scored a goal that surprised United a little, as Mohamed Salah hit the post after newcomer Fabio Carvalho and English Premier League runner-up Luis Diaz.
David de Gea saved two defeats last season against Liverpool from being worse than 5-0 and 4-0, and although Liverpool call themselves an inexperienced starting lineup, he had to make three early saves before Sancho could not be broken.
Carvalho hit the post in the 18th minute and Diaz had to score on the rebound. The Colombian winger missed his shot, and moments later hit the post 25 meters.
South American magic came at the other end, with Fred reclaiming a loose ball on the edge of a D before hitting the ball that left Alisson cracked, a goal that will surely be a point of contention in the next game in Brazil. Martial then brought out reserve defender Reese Williams to finish the match with confidence.
An audacious lob from @Fred08Oficial made it 2-0 in Thailand 🤩🇧🇷#MUFC || #MUTOUR22
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 12, 2022
Klopp's third-place pick featured most of his first-choice players and announced his debut as a record signing for Darwin Nunez. The record signing brilliantly controlled Andy Robertson's pass to the chest in the 70th minute and saved Tom Heaton when he fired on target.
Uruguay completed the scoring when Pelister scrambled in the first half and exchanged passes with Emad to score.
Salah came close twice, but a combination of the post and Eric Bailly's last-minute courage kept United a clean sheet.
A stunning counterattack involving @EricBailly24 and @AmadDiallo_19, finished in style by @FPellistri07 ⏩😍#MUFC || #MUTOUR22
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 12, 2022
Martial leaves his mark on Tin Hag
After spending the second half of last season on loan at Seville, Anthony Martial has become a forgotten man at United.
But the skilled, fast, and versatile attacker should, in theory, tick some boxes for the Teen Hag. Cristiano Ronaldo's future is uncertain and the departure of Edinson Cavani has already left United ahead.
Martial's speed caused problems throughout the first half due to Liverpool's rise and pressure to recover the ball to score his goal, and he is certainly his happiest coach.
Anto is back among the goals! 😍🤙
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 12, 2022
🇫🇷 @AnthonyMartial #MUFC || #MUTOUR22 pic.twitter.com/MUy4vv0mKA
McDominate: Don't call it friendly
Half of United's midfield duo have caught the eye with their superb finishing touches, but McTominay also made his mark, which is terrifying for Liverpool's players. James Milner arrived half an hour before the end of the match and, in an early air encounter, hit McTominay with his elbow in the back of the head.
Curtis Jones was also influenced by the Scotland international, whose limits are well documented but whose commitment to the cause is unquestionable.
Bailly hides Manchester United's current defensive weaknesses
Ten Hag will appreciate United's fragile transfer and clinical attacking play, two traits he was not associated with at the end of last season.
However, they kept their nets more by chance than the referee, and it was notable that Liverpool could not find the net. Last Defense isn't a long-term plan, but for now, Ten Hag can at least enjoy Billy to the fullest.
Still an 'all or nothing' centre-back, the centre-back did his best to keep Liverpool at bay and secured an unsuccessful debut for Núñez. His stormy goal-scoring run for Pellister was a great addition to the pie.
Comments
Post a Comment