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With a 2-1 victory over Liverpool, Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils demonstrated exactly how soccer should be played. Despite Mohamed Salah also scoring, they were kept in the game by goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.
It’s time for more crosses, but to give us some new legs, Wan-Bissaka replaces Dalot and Rashford is replaced by Ronaldo.
Mohamed Salah’s effort was bundled over the goal line, but Bruno Fernandes refused to hand the ball back to Liverpool. With seven minutes remaining, it’s time to look for an equalizer.
Still, Jurgen Klopp requires more. For Liverpool to regain control of the game, Mohamed Salah’s absence from it will need to end. After taking down Joe Gomez with five shots thus far, Rashford is a man of inspiration.
Only one of Liverpool’s 11 shots has thus far connected with the target. Frustration is creeping in as Manchester United has retained their defensive lines despite dominating almost 70% of the ball. There are only 23 minutes left to make a breakthrough.
Liverpool put up a poor defensive performance, and there isn’t much time left for them to improve. Trent Alexander-Arnold has been the target of United’s effective scouting strategy so far, but Fabinho might change that. Jordan Henderson is going away.
Rashford gets one after being a pain in Liverpool’s side all day. You can see how much that goal meant to him and the squad as he uses his speed to blow past the defense. This is a significant change. Martial assisted after entering at the break.
Although Anthony Elanga had a strong opening, Anthony Martial will start the game’s second half in his stead. One method to guarantee that the momentum carries over into the second half is to do that.
Sancho’s goal gave Liverpool the lead after 20 minutes, and they continued to dominate for the remainder of the half. For the first time, Manchester United resembles an Erik ten Hag team, but it takes a lot of work from them to do so. Will they be able to keep up this momentum and score another goal, or will Liverpool strike when United starts to falter?
To prevent Bruno Fernandes from scoring an own goal, he needed every inch available. It was Manchester United that gave Liverpool their greatest opportunity of the game!
The Liverpool team is becoming more involved in the game, which is causing Manchester United’s defense to flex a little but not yet break. If the Reds can score before halftime, it could boost morale, but United is doing everything they can to prevent that from happening. Diaz did win possession by taking advantage of United’s play out of the back, but it wasn’t enough to get things going.
Dalot was there to block Luis Diaz’s attempt to put in a cross. As the game approaches the 30th minute, the Reds try to obtain their first shot on goal.
The Elanga and Rashford combination has once again been aggressive because they are causing more difficulties for the Liverpool defense than they can handle. Joe Gomez isn’t covering the right back enough, thus something needs to be changed.
The Liverpool defense has been struggling the entire game, surrendering four shots in addition to the goal. Even in the pregame buildup, Liverpool appear unsure of what to do, and Klopp is limited in his possibilities for improvement.
After making a pivot and slamming the ball into an open goal, Manchester United has a 1-0 lead. Elanga made a terrific play to set him up, but the Liverpool defense is debating what exactly transpired.
Anthony Elanga rattled the post after Bruno Fernandes receives the ball in a free-flowing situation. It’s all United, but can they maintain the intensity throughout the game or will Liverpool gain momentum?
To grant Eriksen a free kick, Alexander-Arnold brings him to the ground. The ball is knocked off the wall by Eriksen for a corner, but things are going well for United so far.
Marcus Rashford was virtually completely unimpeded by Liverpool’s strong defense, which effectively terminated the opportunity. With this new squad, Manchester United is kicking the ball around the field. Can the Reds exploit the situation?
With both sides having a difficult start to the season, an early goal might make all the difference.
Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Cristiano Ronaldo all moved to the bench after the team’s defeat against Brentford. Marcus Rashford will be the center of attention as Manchester United attempts to score their first goal in actual play. It will also be crucial to move the ball and try to disturb Liverpool if Eriksen and McTominay are used as a double pivot.
I researched what to anticipate from him playing in the midfield. The four-year contract and 60 million fee indicate that Ten Hag can create a system around Casemiro. Making wagers like that on a 30-year-old player isn’t a sensible idea, even though he has been tough since breaking his leg in 2016, especially if they move to a more rugged league. Although Casemiro can play physically, switching to a new system in a squad that is already adjusting and having trouble is difficult for anyone.
This feels like a desperate signing because if ten Hag isn’t going to make room for Casemiro, identical problems playing out of the back will occur when he is targeted. United needs a catchy title because they are currently last in the league and fans are preparing to demonstrate against the Glazers’ ownership before their Monday rivalry game against Liverpool. They’ve spent the entire summer hoping to sign Frenkie de Jong, but now that it seems improbable, they’re throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks.
Everyone has the opportunity to pause for photos with the newly acquired great defensive midfielder.
De Gea, Martinez, Fernandez, Malacia, Eriksen, Varane, Dalot, Sancho, Elanga, and McTominay are the starters.
Heaton, Maguire, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, Fred, Van de Beek, Garnacho, Martial, and Ronaldo make up the reserve team.
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Milner, Elliott, Diaz, Salah, and Firmino are the starting players.
Reserves: Carvalho, Clark, Bajctic, Phillips, Van Den Berg, Davies, Fabinho, Tsimikas, Adrian, and Davies
Although Nunez’s suspension will be a significant loss for the team while Diogo Jota is still healing, the squad did gain a significant boost. It is almost easier to detail who is available to Klopp than it is to go through who isn’t. Roberto Firmino has resumed training and ought to play the entire game. Kounate’s knee injury is still too new to give a specific return date for, while Matip will be sidelined for at least a few more weeks. While Curtis Jones may soon help the midfield, he isn’t yet ready, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin is dealing with a major hamstring ailment. Harvey Elliott will want to build on his successful start to the season now that Thiago is now out of the game.
Anthony Martial will be eligible to play in the first game of the year. He was anticipated to compete with Cristiano Ronaldo this season for the starting forward spot under ten Hag. Even though he will come off the bench against Liverpool, a great effort might go a long way given United’s lack of goals. In addition to Facundo Pellistri and Brandon Williams being sidelined for the game, Victor Lindelof has yet to return to practice.
Monday, August 22, 3 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: Manchester’s Old Trafford
Nothing on TV a live feed PeacockOdds: Liverpool -160; Draw 320; Manchester United 400 (via Caesars Sportsbook) Pinned
The Erik ten Hag era hasn’t gotten off to a good start at Old Trafford, as evidenced by the team’s losses in the first few games. Although there are protests regarding the Glazer family’s ownership as well, Casemiro’s presence may provide the team the confidence they need to play well against Liverpool. The Reds are dealing with their own injury problems, which could make this a big deal.
