Manchester United’s first goal against Liverpool under Erik ten Hag was created and scored by people who are no longer alive. Anthony Elanga was sold, while Jadon Sancho was exiled before being leased out.
On that sunny and raucous evening in August 2022, Marcus Rashford scored the winner. Ten Hag’s first win as United manager came on the same night that Liverpool suffered their first domestic defeat of the year.
Ten Hag stated on live television thereafter, “They (the players) can play f—–g football.” Outside of the cameras, he used the same expletive: “F—–g hell.” He said the same thing nine days previously, when he was reeling from United’s generational low at Brentford. The words now held a different meaning.
The day after the Brentford disaster, United players were summoned for training, and Ten Hag joined them for a grueling 13.8-kilometer run in 30-degree heat. According to an eyewitness, the players were “ruined”.
He then made four changes to the team: Raphael Varane, Tyrell Malacia, Scott McTominay, and Anthony Elanga replaced Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Fred, and Cristiano Ronaldo, respectively. The demotions of captain Maguire and talisman Ronaldo were particularly noteworthy. It represented the beginning of the end for Ronaldo at United, and Maguire was stripped of his captaincy 11 months later.
Sancho’s goal provoked a roar unlike anything this writer has heard at Old Trafford. The web video does not do it credit. One of the United analysts was so ecstatic that he punched a desk and threw a colleague’s coffee cup.
Casemiro was introduced on the pitch that night, and the £70 million signing was an afterthought after the game. Jordan Henderson was abused by United fans with a chorus of “You’re just an s–t Casemiro”.
That defeat marked the beginning of Liverpool’s decline last season. They return to Old Trafford on Sunday, with their aura restored. One cup is sitting on a plinth in the Anfield museum, and three more may be necessary as Jurgen Klopp begins his farewell tour.
Scuppering a City triple and preserving United’s 1999 vintage was an incentive for fans in last year’s FA Cup final. Another Klopp quadruple has been thwarted in the first cup quarterfinal between United and Liverpool.
Ten Hag will not frame things in that manner. Returning to Wembley with a win over United’s rival would boost his approval ratings. Progressing to the semi-finals would still allow for a successful season.
Ten Hag’s limited exposure to Toby Collyer, Habeeb Ogunneye, and Dermot Mee is about to cease, as United should have a complete squad again. Maguire, Mason Mount, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all back at training. Rasmus Hojlund could also arrive before kickoff. If there is any remaining doubt about Hojlund’s fitness, United will have 50 hours to review him after Ten Hag’s 1.15pm press conference today.
With Hojlund, United is only two players short of their best XI. Football is a simple game, despite attempts by some to complicate it. With their striker scoring, United went on a five-game winning streak, scoring 15 goals.
Hojlund received player of the month in February.
Hojlund won player of the month for February (Image: Getty).
Without Hojlund, they’ve lost two of their last four games while scoring five goals. A defender and a defensive midfielder have scored, Rashford scored the goal of his life against City, and two penalties were converted against Everton.
Lisandro Martinez, who shone in his debut performance against Liverpool 19 months ago, is out. Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans were also penalized in December’s goalless draw at Anfield.
As reserved as United were against Everton, the early kick-off time and uninteresting opponents had an impact on their performance. Liverpool at home in the FA Cup quarterfinals is more than just a match or a cup tie; it’s an occasion. United’s players must rise to the occasion.
They did for around 70 minutes at City the other week. Ten Hag described United’s performance against “the best team in the world” as compact and industrious. After being cautious against City, United must be relentless against Liverpool.
Last season, United performed exceptionally well at home against Liverpool.
Last season, United were fantastic at home against Liverpool. If they lose, they would revert to their performance from two years ago. Atletico Madrid’s elimination from the Champions League ended their campaign, despite the fact that they were only three points behind fourth place.
The mood was toxic at the time. A fan turned on technical director Darren Fletcher during United’s dull home draw with Everton at the start of April, and the month was tarnished by defeats on both sides of Stanley Park, as well as at Arsenal.
Protests outside Old Trafford overshadowed United’s only win of the month against Norwich. Inside, Paul Pogba’s farewell appearance at the stadium was set to ‘F–k off Pogba’ by the raucous portion of the Stretford End. Ronaldo’s hat-trick did not receive prominent billing.
The day following Atletico’s defeat, this publication indicated that Ten Hag was United’s chosen replacement for Ralf Rangnick. The March internationals are an excellent opportunity for forward planning, and Ineos power brokers are looking into potential replacements for Ten Hag.
A second United Dutch manager might potentially finish outside the Premier League top four, win the FA Cup, then depart the club. Louis van Gaal scarcely enjoyed United’s final FA Cup win in 2016 before realising he was set to be replaced. Van Gaal’s exit came just over 48 hours after he paraded the cup in front of journalists in the Wembley press conference room.
There is no apparent heir poised to take the throne, as there was back then. If Liverpool loses, the red-top headlines will be simple: ‘Erik ten games’ in the Premier League.
Tottenham and Aston Villa will both play this weekend. If Spurs defeat Fulham and Villa win at West Ham, United will be nine points behind fifth place, a humiliating but possible return to the Champions League. Sancho is likely to play in it next season.
