Manchester United slipped to a frustrating 3-0 defeat to our biggest rivals, Liverpool, on a day to forget at Old Trafford. Luis Diaz struck twice in the first half, after Trent Alexander-Arnold's early effort was ruled out by VAR, and Mohamed Salah, a perennial thorn in our side, added a third with all of the goals coming from costly turnovers of possession. After unveiling Manuel Ugarte, our deadline-day signing, to the fans beforehand, Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee made their maiden starts after their summer moves from Bayern Munich, but the occasion was not as we had hoped it would be.
United made a lively start, roared on by our passionate support, but without troubling Alisson in the visitors' goal. Out of nowhere, Liverpool's first real attack seemed to have produced the opening goal. Ryan Gravenberch advanced into space to feed Diaz and his cross flicked off Salah before Alexander-Arnold got his shot away. The ball was over the line before Diogo Dalot's intervention and the England defender celebrated by kissing the TV camera. However, his joy was premature on this occasion, as VAR ruled Salah was offside when Diaz centred.
It was a clear let off, though, for Erik ten Hag's side and things were pretty even for a spell afterwards. There were precious few chances, even if events did remain entertaining, before the Merseysiders made the breakthrough on 35 minutes. Casemiro's pass was intercepted by Gravenberch and sparked a five-on-three situation. Gravenberch picked out Salah and his cross on the run was nodded in by Diaz at the far post, beating Dominik Szoboszlai to the punch.
The Reds' only shot of the half was mishandled by Alisson, as Noussair Mazraoui's strike went through Virgil van Dijk's legs after Bruno Fernandes's cross rebounded to him, but there were white shirts on hand to clear. And things got worse, in the 42nd minute, when Casemiro was felled by Diaz and most of the ground expected a free-kick to be awarded. When referee Anthony Taylor waved play on, Salah was again able to supply an assist with Diaz's first-time finish swept past Andre Onana's left hand. Replays showed Diaz did get a touch on the ball in the challenge and there was no suggestion VAR would intervene this time.
Toby Collyer replaced Casemiro at the interval to make his Premier League debut and one of his first involvements was to nod down for Zirkzee to fire in a shot that was palmed away by Alisson. Alexander-Arnold's shot was blocked by De Ligt with the flag up for offside in any case but a third goal, seconds later, did put the result realistically beyond any doubt. Kobbie Mainoo was outmuscled by Alexis MacAlllister and Szoboszlai teed Salah up for a clinical finish beyond Onana's dive.
Salah had two further chances inside a matter of minutes, firing over the top before seeing a shot snake wide via a deflection off Dalot inside the area. Zirkzee had two great chances to reduce the arrears, both created by Marcus Rashford, but his header was kept out by Alisson's smart save and then his touch, on the stretch, could not find the target. Between those attempts, Liverpool substitute Cody Gakpo headed wide with his first touch and Reds defender Lisandro Martinez was not far away, when he hooked in an ambitious overhead kick from Amad's centre.
That was one of our brighter moments from a very disappointing day at Old Trafford, as Arne Slot's side made it three wins out of three for the Premier League campaign. With an international break about to start, United's next fixture is at Southampton on 14 September.
Casemiro's Costly Mistakes
The defeat was a stark reminder of the work still needed for Manchester United, with the team's performance and several individual displays raising concerns. Casemiro, a player known for his defensive prowess and experience, was particularly culpable for the opening two goals. His misplaced pass led to Diaz's first goal, and a loose challenge on the Colombian winger paved the way for Diaz's second strike. The Brazilian midfielder was subsequently substituted at halftime, highlighting the severity of his errors.
Ten Hag's Challenges
While the club boasts some exciting young players, Erik ten Hag's side still appears far from their rivals. The manager has stressed the ongoing transition at the club, but the booing from the home fans suggests that patience is wearing thin. With the international break offering a brief respite, Ten Hag faces a pivotal period in his tenure. He needs to address the weaknesses exposed against Liverpool, particularly the vulnerability in midfield, and re-establish the team's identity. The next few months will be crucial in determining the direction of the club, and whether Ten Hag will remain in charge.
A Dominant Display from Liverpool
In stark contrast to their opponents, Liverpool showcased a cohesive and clinical performance. The goals were a testament to their attacking fluidity and the individual brilliance of their key players. Diaz, with his two goals, and Salah, who scored once and provided two assists, proved to be the difference-makers. Arne Slot's side secured their third consecutive win of the season, highlighting the quality and depth of the squad. This victory will undoubtedly boost their confidence and further solidify their position as a serious title contender.
A Troubling Trend
This result continues a worrying trend for Manchester United in their recent Premier League clashes with Liverpool. The Reds have won three of their last five matches at Old Trafford, demonstrating their dominance over their rivals. The current squad, despite the new signings and the manager's insistence on a positive direction, still struggles to match the intensity and quality of the reigning champions. While there is a long season ahead, this defeat serves as a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead for Erik ten Hag and his team.
Moving Forward
The international break provides a much-needed opportunity for the club to reflect on their performance and to regroup. It's a chance to reassess their tactics and to reinforce their strategies. The upcoming clash against Southampton offers a chance to build momentum and to demonstrate a more resilient and competitive spirit. It remains to be seen whether the team will respond to the challenges posed by this recent setback and show the resilience and determination required to compete at the highest level.
