Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk correctly predicted that their visit to Old Trafford on Monday evening would create the perfect environment for Manchester United to turn their early-season fortunes around.
Goals either side of half-time from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford were enough to clinch a fully deserved first three points of the season for the Reds, although they were forced to survive a scare late on following Mohamed Salah’s consolation header. United were dominant from first whistle to last and got at Liverpool by putting them on the back-foot from minute-one.
Manager Erik ten Hag’s gamble to make four changes to his starting line-up worked wonders, as the likes of Raphael Varane and Tyrell Malacia, who both earned their first starts of the season, justified their inclusions. They were both excellent and played key roles in a first victory since May.
United entered the contest as overwhelming underdogs following the 4-0 defeat at Brentford and were not expected to take anything from the game, despite Liverpool stumbling in their opening two matches of the season. The Merseysiders, who cut United apart last season, were no match for what Ten Hag’s troops threw at them, with it clear that the Dutchman had got the response he wanted.
And as disappointed as he will have been with his own performance and that of his team, Liverpool defender Van Dijk forecasted that United would approach the clash with Jurgen Klopp’s side with the mentality of aiming to turn things around. He highlighted how a game of such magnitude was the ideal opportunity.
“They [United] are a good team, in my opinion, they have good players all over the pitch,” Van Dijk said, speaking in the build-up to the contest. “Obviously they’re not in the best situation confidence-wise, but it’s the perfect game to turn it around for them.”
Turn it around United most certainly did. They performed as though their lives depended on it, generating noise on the terraces that Old Trafford had not heard in years.
“We’re looking at ourselves and we want to make sure we’re ready for it and we are going to work hard this week again,” Van Dijk continued. “It’s massive but it’s not about making a statement, we want to win and do everything that’s possible to win there.”