Erik ten Hag praised his players' attitude and spirit as Manchester United ended a disappointing start to the new Premier League season with an impressive 2-1 win over fierce rivals Liverpool.
The Dutchman has the unwanted distinction of being the only United manager in more than a century to lose his first two games in charge.
A 2-1 loss at home to Brighton on the opening day and followed that up with an abject display in a 4-0 embarrassment away to Brentford to leave United bottom of the table for the first time in 30 years.
Ten Hag's bold selections - Cristiano Ronaldo and captain Harry Maguire were dropped to the bench - paid off handsomely as United's high tempo blitzed Liverpool for the opening 30 minutes.
Jadon Sancho gave the home side a deserved half-time lead before Marcus Rashford's first goal since January put United 2-0 up.
Mohamed Salah pulled a goal back for Liverpool 10 minutes from time, but Jurgen Klopp's men have now failed to win any of their first three league games of the season to fall seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
"We can talk about tactics but it is all about attitude," said Ten Hag.
"I am happy with the performance but we have to bring it every game. Don't just bring it against Liverpool. Every Premier League game is difficult, we need to bring it to every game. It starts, once again, with the spirit."
Ten Hag reportedly dragged his players in on a planned day off to run 13.8 kilometres the day after a 4-0 defeat to Brentford last weekend.
That was the extra distance covered by Brentford players and United collectively covered 18 kilometres more than eight days ago with a number of players struggling with cramp in the closing stages.
Man United v Liverpool ratings
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MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 8. His defenders saved him in the first half. Got down to save from Fabinho after 66. Fine one handed save after 80. Fuming a minute later when Salah scored. AP -
Diogo Dalot 7. Strong at right-back. A little too strong when he was booked for a yellow card on 45.A positive night for the Portuguese. Reuters -
Raphael Varane 9. Started ahead of captain Harry Maguire. Booked after 27, but the sight of him juggling the ball in the Liverpool box before setting up Rashford caught the mood with United at 2-0. The Varane Manchester United hoped they were buying. Won everything in the air. AP -
Lisandro Martinez 9. Brilliant sliding block from Salah after 40 and then saved the ball on the line from what was going to be a Fernandes own goal 30 seconds later. Positioning was flawless. Getty -
Tyrell Malacia 8. Positive start. Two key clearances as Liverpool pushed for a late equaliser. Got in front of Firmino – and in the faces of almost every Liverpool player - to break another attack up in those final tense minutes for his side. Fantastic debut. Offside -
Christian Eriksen 7. Curled a 24th minute free-kick towards goal and the fingers of Becker. Always had attacking intent. Worthy performance. EPA -
Scott McTominay 7. A surprise starter and he came out flying. Which he needed to do after performances this season. Scooped the ball away as Liverpool tried to get a goal back after 56, then blocked a 74th minute attack. EPA -
Jadon Sancho 8. Put his side ahead on 16 – controlling a ball, taking five neat touches and placing it along the floor past Alisson. His best moment since signing. AFP -
Bruno Fernandes 7. Captain and set up Elanga who hit the post. Almost scored his first goal of the season – at the Stretford End in his own goal after 40. Martinez saved him. Took one poor touch as United went for a third after 73. Booked on 74. Told off by his manager for trying to play a through ball near the end. Getty -
Anthony Elanga 7. Played on the left of a front three and hit the post when he should have scored, then assisted Sancho to put United in the lead. The Stretford End sang his name. Off at half time. Getty -
Marcus Rashford 8. Played centre-forward and put United 2-0 up with a sweet finish, his first in the Premier League since January, then shot wide after 55 after being set up by Varane. Will have been delighted to hear the Stretford End sing his name. Offside -
SUBS: Anthony Martial 7. On for Elanga at half time. Looked confident. Set Rashford up for the second. Beautiful twist, turn and control to play the ball away from danger on 79. At the sharp end of a 91st minute attack. Reuters -
Fred 7. On for Sancho after 70. Defensive role to stop Liverpool breaking through. PA -
Donny van de Beek NA. On for Eriksen after 85. Steady in seeing out the game. PA -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka NA. On for Dalot after 86. Cleared a 91st minute attack and another a minute later and another a minute after that – and that was enough as United held on. AFP -
Cristiano Ronaldo NA. On for Rashford after 85. Spooned a shot over on 90. Getty -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 6. The Brazilian was let down by his defence for the goals. He made a fine save from Eriksen and kept the score down. AFP -
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 3. When the 23-year-old is good, he is very, very good. This was one of his bad nights. It was ugly. Getty -
Joe Gomez – 6. The 25-year-old was the best of a poor defensive bunch. He made a couple of timely blocks and was less ruffled than his colleagues. PA -
Virgil van Dijk – 4. The Dutchman was unusually static, particularly on the opening goal. He showed his class by cutting out Rashford on the counter but overall he was way below his normal standards, as Milner pointed out. PA -
Andrew Robertson – 5. The Scot did not produce much going forward although he was solid when defending. He was withdrawn for Tsimikas with five minutes to go. Getty -
Harvey Elliott – 5. The 19-year-old was anonymous for long spells and did not help his defenders enough. He was better in the closing stages when his passing hinted at better things. Getty -
Jordan Henderson – 4. The captain pressed hard with limited success and was too often left stranded by the opposition’s pace and crisp passing. He made way for Fabinho in the 59th minute. Offside -
James Milner – 4. The 36-year-old produced more bluster than brilliance. His frustration showed in some questionable challenges and a running row with Van Dijk. He made way for Carvalho in the 73rd minute. AFP -
Mohamed Salah – 6. The Egyptian was isolated and the defence doubled up on him. Even so, he caused chaos when he got the ball and he pulled a goal back with a sharp finish. Getty -
Roberto Firmino – 3. The Brazilian swung his foot and missed the ball completely in the area in the second half and it summed up an unhappy night. He sat way too deep for much of the game and when he got forward he was ineffective. Reuters -
Luis Diaz – 6. The Colombian showed plenty of ambition and was the most direct of the Liverpool strikers. His relationship with Robertson needs serious work, though. Getty -
SUBS: Fabinho – 6. The Brazilian replaced Henderson in the 59th minute and settled things down in the midfield. He forced De Gea into a save with a back-post header. Getty -
Fabio Carvalho – 6. The Portuguese came on for Milner in the 73rd minute and produced a bright cameo. His shot created the chance for Salah to score. Getty -
Kostas Tsimikas – 5. The Greek joined the action with five minutes to go in place of Robertson. He was almost embarrassed by Martial. Reuters
"Today was really important for us," said Bruno Fernandes, who was made captain in the absence of Maguire.
"We showed the right intensity and more importantly the right character. We got the three points. Scoring first was really important for us, for our confidence.
"It was important for us to take the first step in the league, now we have to carry on"
Victory took United above Liverpool in the league table and to within four points of the top four.
Casemiro was paraded at Old Trafford before kick off, but United's latest €70 million signing had to settle for a seat in the stands as the Brazil midfielder was not registered in time to make his debut.
Ten Hag hinted that more money will be spent in the final 10 days of the transfer window, but said there was also a route back into the team for Maguire and Ronaldo.
"I don't have to mention Maguire and Ronaldo. They are amazing players and they will play a role in the future and the short-term future as well," he said.
"We have the right players, I am convinced of that. The window is not closed and you need numbers and also quality."
Casemiro says adios to Real Madrid
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Casemiro leaves his farewell press conference at Real Madrid's training ground in Spain on Monday, August 22, 2022. AP -
Brazilian player Casemiro arrives at his farewell press conference at Real Madrid's training ground. AP -
Casemiro smiles as he addresses a press conference during his farewell at the Real Madrid training complex. Manchester United have agreed to sign the Real Madrid midfielder for a reported £60 million ($70m). AFP -
Casemiro during his farewell at Valdebebas Sports City in Madrid. EPA -
Journalists at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium watch the farewell of Casemiro on a screen. EPA -
Casemiro and Antonio Rudiger during Real Madrid's training at Valdebebas last week. EPA -
Casemiro and Eden Hazard during a training session in Valdebebas. AFP -
Casemiro is leaving Real Madrid after a successful nine-year stay. EPA -
Casemiro will look to strengthen Mancheter United's leaky defence. EPA -
Casemiro with the Uefa Super Cup trophy after the final against Eintracht Frankfurt in Helsinki this month. Getty -
Real Madrid's Casemiro, right, duels for the ball with Frankfurt's Randal Muani during the Uefa Super Cup final. AP -
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, centre, with Casemiro, right, and Eder Militao. AP
