Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is hardly box office in his press conferences. Ten Hag is straight talking, concise and isn't the most charismatic figure, but that didn't stop him from being overwhelmed with emotion on the touchline on Monday night.
Ten Hag was pictured passionately fist-pumping and visibly excitable when Marcus Rashford scored his side's second goal of the game against Liverpool. The victory was a monumental result for Ten Hag and his brilliant celebration on the touchline showed he was aware of its importance. The atmosphere at Old Trafford was special and it felt like Ten Hag's premiership had finally taken off.
The Dutchman had been given a baptism of fire in the Premier League with humiliating defeats against Brighton and Brentford, but Monday night's performance against Liverpool was the perfect response. It was a splendid display that deserved to be lauded.
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United delivered the type of performance that the club's best sides have been known for. The energy and desire was evident from the first whistle and the pressing was cohesive. This was not the same team that were disgraced at Brentford little over a week prior.
Anthony Elanga almost scored within 10 minutes and he started to prematurely celebrate before the ball struck the post. Elanga should have done better and Alisson was relieved, although Jadon Sancho ensured that relief was fleeting.
Sancho's composed finish was outstanding and Rashford's goal in the second half was another strike of quality. Although Mohamed Salah scored in the latter stages, his goal was merely a consolation and United were good value for the three points on the night.
However, former player Bastian Schweinsteiger, who spoke to BBC Radio Manchester after the game, somehow thought that Liverpool were the better side at Old Trafford. Schweinsteiger must have been watching a different game.
"You know, of course I support United and I'm very happy they won," Schweinsteiger said. "But was it a great performance in my opinion if I compare it with other teams, the top teams in Europe? I wouldn’t say so.
"For me, Liverpool was the better team actually and they had much more possession in the game, but you know United did one thing really well. They had the right attitude towards the game, the right spirit in the team.
"And in my eyes, the supporters have won the match because, you know, it could’ve been different."
Schweinsteiger claiming Liverpool were the better side because they had more possession suggests he is stuck in the past. United often dominated possession in matches under Louis van Gaal but that style brought the Dutchman no long-term success.
Schweinsteiger was part of that side and that means he should understand his statement is flawed. Van Gaal's side would regularly enjoy most of the ball, but they would look pedestrian in possession and devoid of creativity in the final third when it mattered.
United only had 30 per cent possession against Liverpool, but they were cohesive and their counter-attacks were ruthless. The fluidity of the attack was impressive and the interchangeable style that Ten Hag had implemented in pre-season was finally seen.
Pep Guardiola is obsessed with possession and the Catalan has enjoyed remarkable success with his approach, but possession alone does not win football matches and the style of the likes of Ten Hag and Diego Simeone can prove equally as effective.
Schweinsteiger should know that and his comments were surprising, to say the least.
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