Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has said will not overestimate the 4-0 victory over Liverpool in their first pre-season game in Thailand on Tuesday afternoon.
Manchester United and Liverpool faced off in Thailand in what is Erik Ten Hag’s first game in charge of the Red Devils. The Dutch manager went with De Gea in goal while Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw started in defense.
A five-man midfield had Scott McTominay, Fred, Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, and Marcus Rashford, while Anthony Martial led the lines up front.
It was a largely second-string side fielded by Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp with Alisson, Roberto Firmino, Luiz Diaz, Joe Gomez, and Jordan Henderson, the few first-teamers in the lineup in Bangkok.
However, the difference in quality in personnel between both sides was evident as United released into a 3-0 lead in the first half.
Jason Sancho put United in the lead in the 12th minute of the game before Fred doubled the lead for the Red Devils.
Jurgen Klopp immediately instituted a ten-man substitution two minutes after the goal, but it didn’t stop Anthony Martial from making it 3-0 in the 33rd minute.
Uruguayan midfielder Facundo Pellistri scored a fourth with less than 20 minutes to go in the game.
Erik Ten Hag, who recently announced that English defender Harry Maguire would remain the team’s captain for the new season, spoke that despite the victory, mistakes were noticed, and the results will not be overestimated moving forward.
“Believe me. I have seen a lot of mistakes. It will take a lot of time. We have not overestimated this result. I think we have a lot of creativity and speed in front. I know we have good players. Of course, we are satisfied because it was a team with great spirit, but we’ve just started.” Ten Hag said.
Manchester United will play Australian side Melbourne Victory next, while Liverpool will play Crystal Palace in their next pre-season game.
Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu