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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith & Stephen Killen

Erik ten Hag shocks Roy Keane by giving 'f****** good' verdict on Man United win vs Liverpool FC

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag stunned Sky Sports' pundits after delivering the F-bomb while reflecting on his side's 2-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford on Monday evening.

The Dutchman recorded his first victory as United manager as goals either side of half-time from Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho fired them into a commanding two-goal lead. Mohamed Salah halved the deficit late on, burying a header, but United held on to secure their first win of the campaign.

United, who have climbed above Liverpool in the Premier League table as a result of the victory, were full value for the win, dominating the contest from the very first whistle. Ten Hag's brave decisions to include the likes of Tyrell Malacia and Anthony Elanga in his starting line-up paid dividends, with the performance ranking as the best United have served up in months.

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Considering they entered the clash with Jurgen Klopp's side off the back of a 4-0 drubbing at Brentford just over a week earlier, it was a complete contrast to the performance they produced in the capital. And for Ten Hag, it was the attitude of his players that made all the difference.

"I wanted a different approach, a different attitude and that is what they brought on the pitch," Ten Hag told Sky Sports. "That's what makes me satisfied.

"It's only the start and we have to remain humble. We can play much better if we have a little bit more composure, give an extra pass, and then we can be much more dangerous, but first we have to become a team.

"Then you will act, that is what we saw today in moments. But when you have to make the game, you have to be better on the ball."

United's performance at Brentford was greeted with a wave of justified criticism, with Ten Hag's tactics coming under fire. However, their display against Liverpool highlighted that attitude and application being right can make just as big a difference.

And Ten Hag pointed that out by waxing lyrical about his players while dropping the F-bomb to leave an on-looking Roy Keane stunned.

The Dutchman added: "We can talk about tactics, but it's all about attitude. Obviously we bring attitude onto the pitch, there was communication, fighting spirit and you can see what they can achieve because they can f****** play football."

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