Which is the club in crisis again?
Manchester United’s display against Liverpool was utterly superb as Erik ten Hag finally got his charges going against a Jurgen Klopp side devoid of any ideas or defensive solidity. The first half was a complete transformation for United.
David de Gea went long instead of inviting pressure and with a front four of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Elanga, Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho, the hosts were able to harry and press the Reds into a state of disarray.
Anthony Elanga should have scored when the ball broke through to him one on one after a wonderful tackle by Bruno Fernandes, but he could only hit the post when in United’s box.
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But for the seventh game in a row, Klopp saw his team concede first and it was another poor start. Trent Alexander-Arnold was having all sorts of problems and was beaten by a quick one-two, before Jadon Sancho kept his cool in the box to send Alisson for a hot dog as Van Dijk was left statue-esque.
This was the United we thought we were going to see under Ten Hag. They were brave. They were energetic. They were relentless. Cristiano Ronaldo watched on from the bench as the team he so desired to leave showed a level of passion they simply haven’t reached when he has been on the pitch.
Anthony Martial’s second half introduction allowed United to capitalize on another Liverpool error. Henderson lost the ball in the middle of the pitch and all of a sudden Gomez was left exposed as Rashford raced onto a through ball. Alisson could do nothing to prevent the England man scoring his first Premier League goal since January and Old Trafford was bouncing.
Liverpool looked out of their depth at Old Trafford.
The one obvious thing, looking at both benches was the weakness of Liverpool’s squad. Yes, they are in the midst of an injury crisis with Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Diogo Jota injured and with Darwin Nunez suspended, they were without nine first team players and lacked anything up front. Roberto Firmino offered nothing and the passes just weren’t sticking for the front three.
But then the man who so often gets them out of trouble found a goal back. From a corner, Liverpool kept the ball alive and Salah was there to head home after Fabio Carvahlo’s initial effort was saved.
But this was not the United of old. This was a United that had worked so hard for 90 minutes and they were not going to let this vital result slip. Martinez had recovered from his half-time withdrawal at Brentford to dominate the Liverpool front line.
For the first time all season, they were a team. And this team, on a night where it could have all imploded, stood up and were counted. For Liverpool, the inquest continues. They are still searching for their first win of the season, and ‘crisis club’ Manchester United are now above them in the Premier League table.
