Manchester United’s victory over Liverpool was “just the beginning” of a new era for the club according to manager Eric ten Hag. After defeats to Brighton and Brentford, the attitude and will of United’s players and Ten Hag’s tactics were called into question. However, the Dutch manager fully justified his decision to oust captain Harry Maguire and Cristiano his Ronaldo from the starting eleven in his side’s electrifying performance as they went on to secure a 2-1 win.
Marcus Rashford took up a central striking role in place of Ronaldo and Raphael Varane partnered the outstanding Lisandro Martinez in central defence in place of Maguire and they were dynamic and aggressive from the start. Having been outmuscled and outplayed in every area in their opening two games, United came into the contest against their old rivals without a Premier League point and needing to avoid five consecutive league defeats for the first time in 50 years.
The Dutchman in his post-match reaction spoke about the importance of leadership in his squad.
Speaking about the roles of club captain Maguire, the iconic Cristiano Ronaldo and new acquisition Casemiro he said: “We were talking about leadership, today we had leadership on the pitch, he is one as well. He knows the game, he knows how to win. In his career he has won so many trophies and it is important to have that in the team.
“Varane has it, Casemiro is another one, Ronaldo has it, so you need some and it is like guidance for young players who didn’t achieve the trophies.
“That is what we want to achieve, so I am hoping their presence will be a huge stimulation for the rest.
“I don’t have to mention Harry Maguire and Ronaldo, they are amazing players and they will play a role in the future, the short (term) future as well.
“It is always difficult (to leave them out) but I have decisions to make.”