Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, remained steadfast in his belief that the club can still achieve success this season, despite a sobering 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford against arch-rivals Liverpool. The match, marked by an overwhelming display from the visitors, left United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, with just three points from their opening three games.
Liverpool’s dominance was evident early on, with Luis Diaz scoring twice in quick succession during the first half, leaving United struggling to contain the visitors’ attacking prowess. Mohamed Salah added to United’s woes, scoring a third goal shortly after the interval. The defeat echoed the painful memories of the 5-0 thrashing United suffered in the same fixture in 2021, although the scoreline was less severe this time around.
Ten Hag, however, refused to be drawn into a narrative of doom and gloom, emphasizing that immediate success should not be expected from him as if by magic. “It is not like I am Harry Potter,” he remarked, highlighting the challenges of integrating new signings and building a cohesive team. He pointed out that several of the players fielded were making their first starts of the season and stressed the need for patience as the team gels together.
Among those new faces was United’s latest signing, £50.5 million Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who was introduced to the fans before the match but was not yet fit to play. Ten Hag acknowledged that Ugarte, along with others, would require time to reach full match fitness and adapt to the team’s style of play.
“Manuel Ugarte did not play one minute – he needs to build his fitness. Then we have to build him into the team,” Ten Hag explained. “I am sure he will contribute to our team. It will take a couple of weeks, maybe even a month. That is the same for a lot of players.”
The match also saw mixed performances from other key players, including Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee, who squandered United’s best chances, and Matthijs de Ligt, who struggled in defense alongside Lisandro Martinez. Kobbie Mainoo, a promising young England midfielder, was often outplayed by Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch, who controlled the central midfield with ease.
Ten Hag faced further scrutiny during his post-match press conference, where he became embroiled in a heated exchange with a journalist. The journalist suggested that United were repeating the same mistakes seen over the past two years, to which Ten Hag strongly disagreed. “I have a different vision,” he said. “Otherwise we wouldn’t win trophies and beat bigger opponents.”
While Ten Hag acknowledged the pain of the defeat, he urged for perspective, noting that the season is still in its early stages. “This defeat hurts for us and our fans,” he said. “It is the third game of the season. I have had to explain this so many times. We have to build a new team. We will be fine but it is clear we have to improve.”
One of the more controversial moments of the match came when Ten Hag decided to substitute veteran midfielder Casemiro at half-time. The Brazilian, who was at fault for two of Liverpool’s goals, was replaced by 20-year-old Toby Collyer.
This sparked speculation that Casemiro had left the stadium early, a claim Ten Hag swiftly denied. “He didn’t leave the stadium at half-time,” the manager clarified. “I met him in the dressing room after the game. He won everything in his career. I am sure he will keep contributing to our team.”
Despite the setback, Ten Hag remained confident that Manchester United could turn their fortunes around. “At the end of the season, I am quite confident we will have a big chance to lift another trophy,” he asserted, rallying the team and supporters alike to stay focused on the long-term goals.
As the Red Devils continue to rebuild under Ten Hag’s stewardship, the pressure will undoubtedly remain high. However, the Dutch manager’s insistence on patience and steady progress may be crucial if United are to navigate this challenging period and return to their winning ways.
