New Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag won 4-0 against arch-rivals Liverpool in Tuesday’s first game since European preseason friendlies returned to Asia after a two-year hiatus. Manchester United started their preseason on a high note with a 4-0 win against Liverpool on Tuesday, with new manager Eric Ten Hager winning his first game in charge. Erik Ten Hag said on Tuesday he was “satisfied” after a good start as Manchester United manager but insisted that after historic rivals Liverpool’s 4-0 win in a preseason friendly in Thailand, he won’t get carried away. Whether any match between Manchester United and Liverpool can be considered ‘friendly’ is a matter of debate, with new Old Trafford boss Erik Ten Hag taking action in Las Vegas.
It’s definitely been a drought for United, so even though the preseason friendly was preseason friendly, the sight of the players and Erik Ten Hag holding the trophy made long-suffering supporters very happy. Manchester United clinched a dizzying trophy for beating Liverpool. Jadon Sancho, Fred and Anthony Martial scored for United in the first half, while Facundo Pellistri scored his fourth goal in a 4-0 win over their arch-rivals, Liverpool, in the preseason match.
The new manager is not someone to sit on his laurels, and as quickly as his side arrived in Melbourne, they were straight out on the pitch at AAMI Park, just a short distance from the world-famous Melbourne Cricket Ground. This is where United’s next preseason encounter versus A-League club Melbourne Victory will take place.
Eric Bailly is now being heavily linked only 24 hours after playing in Manchester United’s first pre-season match. According to Area Napoli, Serie A club Napoli is eyeing Bailly as a successor for Kalidou Koulibaly. The Italian club has agreed to sell Koulibaly to Chelsea, and he will pass a medical shortly. Koulibaly was heavily linked to Manchester United four years ago, at three times the fee Chelsea is paying. The Senegalese international, at 31, is finally making his way to the Premier League.
As per Mundo Deportivo reporter Fernando Polo, the Barcelona coach has told De Jong that he loves him as a player but that the team must sell him this year for financial reasons. If this doesn’t imply that Barcelona is forcing him out against Xavi’s wishes, I’m at a loss for an alternative explanation. Barcelona need funds, and United have set the Dutch international their top priority ahead of Erik ten Hag’s debut season at Old Trafford. Xavi seems to have a handful of good midfielders, so replacing De Jong will not be too difficult.
