The eyes of the footballing world were focused on a rocking Old Trafford as the old foes went toe-to-toe in search of their first Premier League wins of the season.
United had started the weekend bottom of the table after their four-goal humbling at Brentford compounded the home loss to Brighton, but Ten Hag’s side responded with a display of determination, aggression and skill.
Sancho showed remarkable composure when putting the hosts ahead and Rashford extended their advantage early in the second half, with Ten Hag’s men holding out for victory after Mohamed Salah reduced the deficit late on.
It was a nervy conclusion but getting over the line underlined the turnaround in character and performance from last weekend’s loss at Brentford, as well as last season’s humiliations home and away to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
“We’ve not done too well at the start of the season so it is good to get the first three points,” Rashford said.
“I’ve already said that regardless of the circumstances, when you’re in a game against Liverpool it is massive so to get the win is massive.
“We were tired towards the end but we kept going and stuck at it, they got a goal back and we didn’t fold, we kept defending well and it was an enjoyable game to play in.”
Ten Hag was a relieved man afterwards, telling the Sky Sports interviews: “You can see what they can achieve because they can f—ing play football!” His passion was lapped up by former United star Gary Neville.
New signing Casemiro would have liked what he saw and was introduced to the Red Devils’ faithful before kick-off – but that move was never going to take the edge off the United fans’ protests against their despised owners.
Thousands marched to the match and anti-Glazer chants provided a constant backdrop to Monday night’s contest without detracting from their support of the team, who responded with a quality performance.
Anthony Elanga hit a post and soon set up Sancho to coolly score in a first half that ended with Lisandro Martinez preventing Bruno Fernandes from scoring an own goal.
Anthony Martial was introduced at halftime and put Rashford through to end his 997-minute goal drought in all competitions, with the hosts threatening to pull further ahead before David De Gea’s goal came under late pressure.
United’s number one was unable to prevent Salah’s late header creeping in but the team dug deep to seal the three points, meaning they leapt above Liverpool in the table.
“It has definitely not been the start to the season we wanted, it has been really poor and we have given every team a goal start and that is the basics of the game, you can’t keep giving yourself an uphill battle,” Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson said.
“Two points from nine is not the start we wanted, we need to pick our performances up individually and collectively and we need to kick start our season that is for sure.”
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