Posted: 22:01, July 12, 2022 | Updated: 22:37, July 12, 2022
Erik ten Hag stood clutching the Bangkok Century Cup with Bruno Fernandes as the music hit and the confetti came out and the organized celebrations began. Above him, the giant scoreboard at the Rajamangala National Stadium read: Manchester United 4-0 Liverpool. Ten Haag’s first game as United manager and here was his first trophy. It was the beginning. The expressionless look on Ten Haag’s face told a rather different story. He knows that the events here on a sticky night in Bangkok are a far cry from the cold reality of Premier League football. When United take on Liverpool at Old Trafford next month, it will be in very different circumstances. Erik ten Haag (right) holds the Bangkok Century Cup with Bruno Fernandes (left) after Manchester United’s 4-0 demolition of arch-rivals Liverpool on Tuesday It was an impressive display and the players are clearly buying into Ten Hag’s methods Jurgen Klopp said before this game that there are no friendlies between these two clubs, but in fact there are and this was one of them. Klopp played three different teams, changing all 10 away players after half an hour and 60 minutes. Ten Haag also made 10 changes at half-time, so we should read that much into the result. But 4-0 against any Liverpool team these days is not to be sniffed at and Ten Haag would certainly face serious questions if the scoreline was the other way around. When he shook hands with assistant Steve McClaren at the final whistle and was met with raised eyebrows, it suggests even they were surprised by the margin of victory. Jadon Sancho was among the goalscorers to thank Ten Hag, who are without Ronaldo Anthony Martial (left) and Eric Bailly (right) impressed and grabbed rare chances However, Ten Haag does not come across as a man who will be easily swayed. “We will not overstate this result,” he said. “It’s going to take time and I’ve seen a lot of mistakes. We have to work hard to cut them, but, of course, we are happy.’ The Dutchman will be delighted that United have had four different goalscorers in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence. Jadon Sancho, Fred and Anthony Martial were on target before half-time and Facundo Pellistri added a fourth. If Ten Hag can get more finishes than Fred like his great chip over Allison, then he really is a special coach. While it is a positive result for his first game in charge, the Ten Hag will not be carried away Players clearly subscribe to his philosophy. Martial is not known for his work ethic, but the way he stole the ball from Rhys Williams before scoring a solo effort demonstrated the benefits of the pressing game that Ten Haag demands. Eric Bey grabbed a rare chance in the second half to show the new manager what a good defender he can be, although this is likely to be one of the Ivorian’s last appearances for United. For Liverpool, this result was far less important. Klopp won’t dwell on it long as he heads to Singapore for a game against Crystal Palace on Friday. “The game came too soon,” he said. United had an extra week with their main group and did very well. The result is there, we have to accept it.’ Liverpool looked tired but will be a different beast when the Premier League returns It might have turned out differently had the impressive Luis Diaz, Fabio Carvalho and Mo Salah not all hit the post. More worrying, perhaps, was the sight of record £85m signing Darwin Nunez firing over an unguarded goal on his debut when Salah’s effort rose to him. Nunez can blame those blisters. Ten Hag’s problem now may be keeping everyone’s feet on the ground.
