Joe McConnell
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but defensive injuries, underperforming stars and wasteful finishing were Manchester United’s downfall in their final pre-season game.
The 3-0 defeat against Liverpool is not a positive and, although Erik Ten Hag focused on the positives, it is clear that improvements are needed ahead of the start of the season.
Manchester United’s US tour has been filled with positivity following the renewal of Ten Hag’s contract, a new coaching staff, changes to the management and a belief that the squad will be better equipped for the new season.
But on a hot, humid night in South Carolina, United fans were once again forced to watch as the problems they had hoped the club had overcome resurfaced.
Of the big names on the pitch, only Marcus Rashford showed any real attacking panache, coming close to scoring the best goal of their warm-up games with an electric turn and a shot that went just wide.
Casemiro, the only outfield player to play the entire game, looked bulky and vulnerable. Jadon Sancho and Antony offered little in the final third, while Scott McTominay missed his team’s best chance of the second period.
Casemiro made a mistake in Liverpool’s first goal
With Rasmus Hojlund out at the start of the season, the pressure is on new striker Joshua Zirkzee to link up with Rashford and the returning Bruno Fernandes as quickly as possible.
Defensively, Ten Hag claims his team has plenty of options, despite another night of difficulty.
Harry Maguire was ruled out as a precaution, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof both came off at half-time and Aaron Wan-Bissaka came off with a knock.
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After Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool in their pre-season game, Erik ten Hag believes his team need to be more clinical and thinks the club will likely spend in the summer if the opportunities are right
Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Diego Dalot are all expected back at Carrington next week. They could all be needed in some capacity for the weekend’s Community Shield against Manchester City and certainly beyond.
As for Liverpool, during their stay in the United States they achieved three victories against first division teams.
Now come the big decisions for coach Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes.
Fabio Carvalho celebrates after opening the scoring for Liverpool against Man Utd
It’s judges’ houses time: who will they tell to pack their bags and who will have access to the live shows?
We already know that Joe Gomez and Sepp van den Berg have prices the club are willing to accept, but have Fabio Carvalho’s two goals in two games given him a chance of a Premier League trial?
But what all Liverpool fans want to know now is who will arrive at the club.
Has interest in Anthony Gordon waned or will they renew their offer from June? Is Slot happy with the current midfielders playing in his double pivot system? Do they want a successor to Virgil van Dijk in defence?
The contractual situations of Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah will determine how much money will be in the pot this summer and what goals Liverpool will have to pursue over the next 12 months.
But if these games in the United States have proven anything, it’s that Mo Salah is still the greatest talent the club has ever turned around and that they have no intention of letting him go any time soon.
Man Utd 2024/25 Fixtures: Ten Hag to Start with Fulham, Live on Sky
Manchester United will open the 2024/25 Premier League season with a home game against Fulham, live on Vscek, and will face Liverpool in the opening month of the season.
The opening match of the new season will be played on Friday 16 August, with kick-off at 20:00.
United then they travel towards Brighton before their first major derby of the season at home to Liverpool Sunday 1st September.
The reverse fixture will take place in early 2025, with an away trip to Anfield on January 4.
Fans will have to wait until December for the first Manchester derby of the season, away to ManCity on December 14. The reverse fixture at Old Trafford will be played on April 5.
Boxing Day will see Man Utd travel to Wolvesand will conclude the 2024/25 season at home against Aston Villa May 25th.
Liverpool fixtures: Reds kick off with trip to Ipswich
Arne Slot will kick off his Liverpool reign with a lunchtime trip to promoted Ipswich Town on the opening Saturday of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
The Dutchman will then face compatriot Erik ten Hag when Liverpool take on their bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford, his third game in charge of the club; the match is currently scheduled for Saturday 31 August.
The Reds face two tough clashes in a row at home against Chelsea and off towards Arsenal in October, before hosting ManCity at the end of November.
The first Merseyside derby of the season will take place at Goodison Park on December 7, as Liverpool kick off the new year with a bang Manchester United January 4th.
Slot’s side will travel to the champions on February 22, before the second Merseyside derby of the season on April 2 and will round off the campaign by facing Chelsea (a) and Arsenal (h) in consecutive matches in May, with Crystal Palace will arrive at Anfield on the final day.
