Manchester United's Jadon Sancho scores his side's first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford stadium, in Manchester, England, Monday, Aug 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)Manchester United vs Liverpool (MUN vs LIV) Highlights: Against a backdrop of protests against the club’s ownership, Manchester United delivered a performance of intensity and spirit to beat fierce rival Liverpool 2-1 on Monday and finally claim its first points in the Premier League this season.
Composed finishes by Jadon Sancho in the 16th minute and Marcus Rashford in the 53rd earned a victory that will bring some respite for under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag, who made a huge statement in his team selection by dropping star striker Cristiano Ronaldo and club captain Harry Maguire and was validated. Mohamed Salah scored an 81st-minute consolation but it was another below-par display from Liverpool.
Follow MUN vs LIV highlights from Old Trafford below.
There cannot be many United fans looking forward to the prospect of Liverpool, the team’s fiercest rival, coming to Old Trafford given what has transpired in the opening two rounds of the season. (AP)
And with that free kick being taken, the referee blows the whistle and United have done it. Their first win over Liverpool since 2018. Those are the 3 points they needed. United move up above Liverpool in the points table. FT MUN 2-1 LIV
Free kick as Martial is fouled. United will take their time with this one. De Gea to hoof this one. And that's a corner for United.
MUN 2-1 LIV
5 extra minutes added now and Liverpool will throw the kitchen sink against United. Can they conjure up something?
MUN 2-1 LIV
Wan-Bissaka, Van de Beek and Ronaldo come on for Dalot, Eriksen and Rashford.
GOOOAAALLL!! And finally Liverpool have their names on the scoresheet!!! Initial Save by De Gea but Salah is there to finish it off. Ball was not cleared properly.
MUN 2-1 LIV
Rashford dances into the Liverpool box, keeps going and gets a shot away and that is over the bar!!! Could have put the game to bed.
MUN 2-0 LIV
Fernandes goes into the book for a simulation. He has a heavy touch inside Liverpool's penalty box and goes down too easily.
MUN 2-0 LIV
Fred is coming on for Sancho as United look to protect this lead and just see this match through.
Header at the back post by Fabinho who has come on for Henderson but De Gea has it covered. Another shot on target but no dice.
MUN 2-0 LIV
Salah tries a shot from distance. It’s blocked with ease by the sensational Martinez. Then Firmino has an air shot. Manchester United in cruise control now.
MUN 2-0 LIV
Two big chances at both ends as De Gea denies Diaz and another United shot is palmed behind by Alisson. End to end stuff!!!
MUN 2-0 LIV
ANOTHER GOAAALLL!! It's Marcus Rashford. Martial finds him with an exquisite through ball as Liverpool are split wide open. Oh it's been checked for offside. And it stands!!!
MUN 2-0 LIV
A corner is defended out as Salah skies it. United, meanwhile are also picking up tempo with a good passage of play. United are quicker to the second balls.
MUN 1-0 LIV
Liverpool start well in the second half as they find themselves in the United penalty box a couple of times. Fernandes clears the ball as Liverpool go again. Martial on for United. Still no Ronaldo
MUN 1-0 LIV
Crunching challenge from Dalot on Diaz and he gets booked. Not entirely convinced that it is a yellow card cahllenge. The ball had gone away from Diaz anyway. And we go for Half Time.
MUN 1-0 LIV
Salah gets the ball inside the penalty area, hits it but out comes Martinez with a lunge and that's gone behind. And the corner is cleared almost off the line!!!! United breathe again. Martinez again.
MUN 1-0 LIV
Elliott tries to release Milner and it nearly comes off but Martinez is across and intercepts. Takes the ball away.
MUN 1-0 LIV
Liverpool's best buildup of the night so far with Salah sliding a ball to Elliot who scuffs it and United can clear it away.
MUN 1-0 LIV
Half an hour ago as Diaz runs free and tries to whip in a low cross but Dalot is there to block the shot for a corner, whic ultimately comes to nothing.
MUN 1-0 LIV
Dias is fouled by Varane who goes in the book. Had to take that because the Liverpool forward was wriggling away. Taking one for the team.
MUN 1-0 LIV
Elanga goes down just outside the penalty box!!!! Trent gets a yellow card for that foul. Free kick for United now. And what a shot by Eriksen!!!! Alisson had to palm it away.
MUN 1-0 LIV
Rashford was in again after a good pass by Sancho. Hits but it's blocked by a Liverpool defender. Goes near the corner flag and Liverpool get the ball away.
MUN 1-0 LIV
And that's a goaaaalll!!!! What a piece of skill and what a passage of play by United. Composed and calm by Sancho!!! Just bends it around Alisson. What a finish.
MUN 1-0 LIV
Oh my god!!!!!! That was such a great opportunity. Bruno gives a sublime pass after a great run but Elanga hits te woodwork. Should have scored that.
The ensuing free kick is taken by Erikson which hits the wall and goes behind for a corner. Nothing much from te corner and Liverpool start again.
Rashford almost in again. Goes around Trent Alexander Arnold and the Liverpool defender throws his leg out and fouls Rashford. Just outside the box.
Rashford breaks free, runs towards Liverpool's goal but there's Van Djik to clear the ball away. Exactly the start United wanted.
Martinez with a crunching challenge on Salah. The crowd are electric for this one. Salah gets up to his feet with a wide grin.
Here we go!! Liverpool get the game underway as the atmosphere is electric!!!
A jam-packed Munich tunnel and United fans are chanting, 'we want Glazers out'. Meanwhile, Liverpool fans have been carrying Avram Glazers masks.
A huge chant of Glazers in emanating from the away end as Liverpool fans take the mickey out of Manchester United fans.
Ronaldo walks up to Neville and Keane, gives them a hug. Snubs Carra.
Casemiro is in Old Trafford to take in the scenery of the hallowed grounds. He won't be playing tonight and watch from the stands to see how his new team performs.
Ten Hag benches Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire ahead of Liverpool game. Bruno Fernandes takes over the captain's armband.
Erik ten Hag makes 4 changes from the 4-0 defeat against Brentford.
Varane, Malacia, McTominay & Elanga are in.
Maguire, Shaw, Fred & Ronaldo are out.
Here are Neville's thoughts--
Casemiro's first training session as the new Man Utd player will take place next week.
Manchester United’s new manager Erik ten Hag said he is confident he can restore the fortunes of the struggling Premier League side, despite having lost the first two games of the season, with arch rivals Liverpool up next. “I am here to help the club and to restore the club,” Ten Hag told reporters ahead of Monday’s home game against a Liverpool side that has also got off to a stuttering start. “I wanted this challenge. I knew before it was going to be hard but I wanted that, because in my career, everywhere I started, the start was difficult but I get it done, and I’m convinced I get it done here as well.
If the match is cancelled due to the protests, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Liverpool should get the 3 points. “I really hope it will not happen but if it does happen, I think we should get the points,” Klopp told reporters before the game. “We have nothing to do with the situation and if the supporters want the game not happening, then we cannot just rearrange the game again and fit it in somewhere in an incredibly busy season,” he said.
Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo says he will reveal the truth in a couple of weeks after constant speculation about his future at the club. The Portuguese is reported to want to leave Old Trafford despite new manager Erik ten Hag insisting he is "not for sale". "They (will) know the truth when they interview in a couple weeks," the 37-year-old said on Instagram.
Manchester United captain is set to start on the bench tonight against Liverpool
Manchester United are 'six years behind' Liverpool, says Ralf Rangnick
The most prominent fan group behind the protests is ‘1958 – a group that calls itself as “an underground group of Reds intent on upholding the values of Manchester United, its culture and traditions”.