Beyond all the asterisks that a friendly match can bring, the truth is that the unofficial premiere for Manchester United of Eric ten Haag the 2022-2023 season could not have been better. The Red Devils dismantled Liverpool 4-0 in an exhibition match held in Bangkok, Thailand. The goals? Jadon Sancho, Fred, Anthony Martial and Uruguayan Facundo Pellistri.
One of these clear debilitating effects is the fact that the Liverpool opened the game with a completely alternative formation (starters came on in the second half), while United played with almost the best they had at their disposal.
This difference was noticeable in the first 35 minutes of the game, where ten Hague players took advantage his various defensive atrocities networks to lead 3-0: Jadon Sancho opened the scoring after a mistake by 17-year-old Isaac Mabaya. Frederick made it 2-0 after a poor finish between Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Phillips, while Anthony Martial He finished third on his return from Seville, taking advantage of a poor start from another youngster like Rhys Williams.
The fourth goal, already in the second half, was the most beautiful of the goals: great opposition led by the Ivorian Eric Bailly and defined by Facundo Pellistrionly 20 years old, on his return from Alaves.
goal Pelistri vs Liverpool (4-0) #mufc
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— United Goals ⚽️ (@UnitedGoals__) July 12, 2022
Fábio Carvalho and Darwin Núñez made their debuts
In Liverpool, two of Klopp’s additions made their presentation: the Portuguese Fabio Carvalho (basic, played 35 minutes) and the Uruguayan Darwin Nunezwho came on for the last 30 minutes of the match.
Núñez had a very clear situation to convert, leaving him an honest shot after a Mo Salah shot hit the post. However, the Uruguayan striker was not accurate and saved the shot well over the goal which was being defended at the time by Tom Heaton.
😮 Darwin Nunez missed that chance by a few yards#MUFC | #MUNLIV
pic.twitter.com/YSWAmXcZHR— Fastfootygoal (@fastfootygoal) July 12, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo away from United
The a big absence from the game was that of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who is not with United’s squad in Thailand. Amidst intense rumors of a possible transfer, ten Hag linked his distance with “personal motivations” and they assured that they want to have CR7 for the next campaign.
