MANCHESTER UNITED 3 LIVERPOOL 1
Manchester United - Blind 49', Herrera 70' (pen), Martial 86'
Liverpool - Benteke 84'
Man of the match - Daley Blind (Manchester United)
English football correspondent
MANCHESTER // Comparisons are supposed to be odious, but they are compelling. They are a burden and a way of exaggerating expectations. Yet every scoreline is a comparison and context is essential in forming any judgment.
When Anthony Martial was likened to Thierry Henry, it was partly a question of background and nationality, one tall, languid quick French forward who was schooled at Monaco bearing similarities to another.
Yet if aesthetic and biographical resemblances placed still more pressure on the most expensive teenager in the history of football, and potentially the second-costliest ever bought by any English club, in an instant the newcomer looked like a nonpareil.
Martial picked up possession on the left flank, just as Arsenal’s record goal-scorer did in his trademark moves, glided rather than sprinted into the penalty area and, opening up his body, placed a shot into the far corner of Simon Mignolet’s net. It was eerily Henry-esque.
It is only one goal, and a £58.8 million (Dh333.2m) fee is not repaid in an instant. It is no guarantee he will prove a success at Manchester United.
Yet the reality is that virtually all of United’s striking successes have scored an early goal. That Martial’s came on his debut, in such style and against Liverpool, is especially encouraging.
It seemed to indicate that a rookie, who had only mustered 11 previous league goals in an embryonic career, has the aptitude for the major occasion that United require.
His account was opened 22 minutes into his Old Trafford career, with his first shot and against their bitterest enemies – it does not get much better than that.
“The goal was not bad, I think,” said Louis van Gaal, one who sometimes deals in exaggeration proving eloquent with an understatement.
Context made it appear all the more significant. United’s striking shortage was highlighted by the sight of Marouane Fellaini labouring ineffectually in attack for an hour. Wayne Rooney was injured, Martial’s debut was delayed and the Belgian’s best impersonation of a striker was a distinctly blunt affair.
The first half featured Van Gaal’s United at their worst: predictable and ponderous, barren and boring. In the second they were transformed, aided by some managerial input.
Ashley Young was a catalytic substitute, winning the free kick that led to Daley Blind’s opener. Ander Herrera, muted earlier, marauded to win and convert a penalty. Martial came on to score. United, who had only managed three goals in their first four-and-a-half games of the season, managed as many in the space of 45 minutes.
They find themselves second in the league. It was where Liverpool finished 15 months ago.
Those already seem distant days, however, and Christian Benteke’s magnificent overhead kick, which briefly threatened a memorable comeback, became a footnote when Martial struck.
The French teenager’s price tag makes even Benteke, at £32.5m, appear cheap.
The Belgian may well prove money well spent. Liverpool’s problem is that too much of it has not been, £205m being paid out over two summers while they find themselves regressing.
As Rodgers said, they conceded possession too easily, leaving Benteke isolated upfield. It is not something that can be attributed solely to Philippe Coutinho’s suspension.
A side that began the season with three successive clean sheets has now conceded six in the space of two games. History is an ever-present consideration for Liverpool, and rather than resembling the 2013/14 side, they are starting to look too much like some of the expensively-assembled underachievers from the other five of the last six seasons.
United, meanwhile, can savour the suggestions that Martial is the new Henry. Even if just for once, they did not look misplaced.
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