Manchester United won the game 3-1 after a much improved second half performance with goals coming from Daley Blind, Ander Herrera and new signing Anthony Martial. Liverpool had made it 2-1 in the second half through a fantastic goal from Christian Benteke, but United win the bragging rights early in the season.

The game started with an incredible atmosphere and at a fast pace, but both teams didn't create much in the first five minutes. United were very comfortable in possession in the early stages and the first chance came when Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet made a mistake but Marouane Fellaini's shot went over the bar, it was big let off for the Liverpool goalkeeper.

Louis van Gaal's tactics were evident in the first 20 minutes of the game

It was very evident in the first 20 minutes of the tactics Louis van Gaal was deploying in the game, with a lot of crosses and long balls into Fellaini, but another thing was the full backs from United Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian making multiple runs in behind the Liverpool defenders.

The thing that was very evident in the first 30 minutes is that Memphis Depay so far hasn't done very well in the Premier League and has been very poor. The main attacking threat in the first half an hour came from the left side with Luke Shaw doing very well, but everything was just very slow.

For the final part of the half it really was dull with nothing happening from both teams, which was worrying especially for United as they really needed to pick up the tempo. United got into a few good positions on the edge of the box but rather than shooting passed and it got cut out.

Ashley Young made a huge difference whene he came on for Depay

The second half started with a substitution were Depay was taken off for Ashley Young, and Young made an instant impact by winning a free kick were Nathaniel Clyne received a yellow card. The free kick was taken by Daley Blind, who smashed the ball home from the edge of the box from a Juan Mata cut back which was delightful.

The goal certainly made the game much better as the intensity in United's play had been much better in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Liverpool also responded to the goal and created there first good chance were Danny Ings had a good shot saved by David de Gea to keep the score at 1-0 for United.

Another chance came for Liverpool were Blind was required at the other end in the 64th minute when he cleared the the ball of the line from a Ings header, and it was a fantastic clearance. Another big moment happened on the 65th minute when new signing Anthony Martial came on for his debut replacing Mata. The game started to become very stretched and Martial's pace could be crucial in the latter stages.

On the 70th minute United were awarded a penalty when Liverpool defender Joe Gomez brought down Ander Herrera, and from the resulting penalty Herrera smashed it home to make it 2-0 to United. The third and final substitution was made with Michael Carrick coming off for Morgan Schneiderlin to see out the remainder of the game to help United protect their lead.

Liverpool got a goal back in the 84th minute through a wonderful goal from Christian Benteke, who acrobatically rifled the ball into the top right corner of the net.

Martial scored a fantastic goal on his debut to wrap up the game

United responded straight away with a third goal from the new man Martial as he just totally destroyed the Liverpool defence to score a great goal to make it 3-1 in the 86th minute.


Daley Blind was man of the match for a superb performance from him and his partnership with Chris Smalling is growing each game. The game finished 3-1 to United after a much improved performance in the second half and it means that United get the bragging rights over Liverpool once again.



 

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