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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
David McDonnell

Man Utd vs Liverpool winners and losers including Marcus Rashford and Luis Diaz

Arch rivals Manchester United and Liverpool began their pre-season tours by facing each other in front of a fervent 50,248 crowd in Bangkok.

For United, it was the start of a new era with Erik ten Hag's first game in charge, while Jurgen Klopp's side were looking to build on the form that saw them push all the way for an unprecedented Quadruple last season.

United boss Ten Hag picked a strong line-up, which he stuck with for the entire first-half, in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with a front four of Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, who were afforded the freedom to interchange positions.

HAVE YOUR SAY! What did you make of Manchester United's first game under Erik ten Hag? Join the discussion in the comments section.

In contrast, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp selected a line-up comprising a mixture of experienced players like Alisson, Jordan Henderson, Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino, along with youngsters including Isaac Mabaya, Luke Chambers, Tyler Morton and new signing Fabio Carvalho.

United took a 3-0 lead into half-time, with goals from Sancho, Fred and Martial, as Klopp changed his entire outfield personnel on the half-hour mark.

Klopp brought on Mo Salah, Thiago and new signing Darwin Nunez, but United youngster Facundo Pellistri made it 4-0 to round off a fine performance and win for Ten Hag in his first game as Old Trafford boss.

Man Utd comfortably beat Liverpool in their pre-season opener in Bangkok (Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

Here, Mirror Football assesses the winners and losers from the Bangkok

WINNERS

Jadon Sancho

England winger Sancho endured a difficult first season at United, following his much-heralded £75million move from Borussia Dortmund. Sancho found it hard to nail down a regular position and struggled as United changed managers, sacking Ole Gunnar Solskajer and bringing in interim coach Ralf Rangnick.

Jadon Sancho scored the opening goal of the Erik ten Hag era (Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

But the 22-year-old was dangerous against Liverpool, his impressive movement and pace capped by a composed finish in the 12th minute for the first goal of the Ten Hag era. This promises to be a big season for Sancho.

Anthony Martial

Martial is back at United after a miserable loan spell at Sevilla in the second half of last season, which saw him score once in 12 games. Martial's ability has never been in question, in particular his pace, ability to beat opponents and his clinical finishing, but his questionable attitude and work-rate have ultimately held him back from fulfilling his potential at United.

Anthony Martial scored a fine solo goal as he looks to revive his United career (Supakit Wisetanuphong/MB Media/Getty Images)

But he provided a reminder of his enduring class by out-running Rhys Williams, before lifting the ball over Alisson for United's third goal. United are unlikely to consider offers for Martial while Cristiano Ronaldo's future is unclear, which gives the France striker an incentive to impress ten Hag on tour.

Luis Diaz

Colombia forward Diaz made an explosive start to his Liverpool career, following his £37.5million move from Porto in January. Diaz scored six goals for Liverpool last season and brought a different dimension to Jurgen Klopp's side, with his pace, direct running at opponents and cool finishing.

Luis Diaz put in an impressive display as he stakes his claim to replace Sadio Mane (REUTERS)

The 25-year-old was only on the pitch in Bangkok for 30 minutes, but he tormented United right-back Diogo Dalot, cutting inside in the first-half and unleashing a curling effort which David De Gea had to be a full stretch to keep out. With Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota and new singing Darwin Nunez, there is huge competition for the front three positions at Liverpool, with Diaz intent on claiming one of them.

LOSERS

Marcus Rashford

Rashford, like so many of United's players, endured a campaign to forget last season, the forward managing just five goals in 32 appearances as his form and confidence deserted him. Rashford lost his England place on the back of that poor season and faces a battle to reclaim it in time for the World Cup.

Marcus Rashford squandered two chances in his 45-minute stint (Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

The 24-year-old spent a chunk of the summer at Nike HQ in Portland, Oregon, building up his physique and working on sprint drills, to make sure he was in peak condition for pre-season. While Rashford looked lean and in impressive physical shape, he squandered the two chances that came his way in his 45-minute outing and will need to show more composure in front of goal as the tour goes on.

Joe Gomez

Gomez has fallen down the defensive pecking order at Liverpool, with Virgil van Djik, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate ahead of him. Another who has lost his England place, Gomez was on the pitch for 30 minutes in Bangkok, during which time Klopp's side conceded three times, with Gomez at fault for United's second goal.

Joe Gomez recently signed a new deal but had a tough time in Bangkok (MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images)

His failure to properly clear the ball saw it go straight to the feet of Fred, who showed coolness and superb technique to lift it over Alisson. If Gomez is to re-establish himself as a regular for Liverpool, he will have to improve on this performance.

Jurgen Klopp

It is always a risk putting youngsters into big games such as these, even in pre-season, and Klopp must hope the humbling result does not dent the confidence of the young players he selected from the start.

Jurgen Klopp's risk with team selection did not pay off (Getty Images)

Players like Isaac Mabaya and Fabio Carvalho, signed from Fulham, started for Liverpool, who found themselves 3-0 down by the time Klopp decided to change all of his outfield personnel, to give as much game-time to as many of his squad as possible.

Other youngsters came on for their debuts, including Thomas Hill, Leighton Clarkson, James Norris, Fabian Mrozek and Melkamu Frauendorf, with Klopp hoping such a chastening defeat does not impact upon their development this season.

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