Erik ten Hag takes charge of United for the first time today, as the club’s preseason kicks off in Bangkok with a friendly against Liverpool. Despite the lack of competitiveness, the new manager will no doubt be happy to set a marker against a direct rival for the new season.
United arrived in Thailand this weekend, but without Cristiano Ronaldo, who is trying to break away from the club less than a year after joining the club. However, fans of the 51,000-seat Rajamangala Stadium can expect their debuts for the likes of Tyrell Malacia and the new signings of Liverpool, Darwin Nunez and Fabio Carvalho.
Jurgen Klopp and Ten Hag have both insisted that working on match fitness is the aim this afternoon, but these two teams will also want to put on a show. Follow along with Standard Sport below!
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91min: That’s your destiny in Bangkok!
89min: Entering the last minutes.
86min: Half a chance for Liverpool, as an Alexander-Arnold cross from the right is missed by Nunez and Keita shoots the follow-up high and wide.
83min: Free kick for Liverpool on the edge of the area that Alexander-Arnold occupies… and punches right in the face of Bailly.
That’s going to hurt.
80 minutes: There’s no two ways about it: this is a thump.
Yes, it’s a friendly for the season, but both teams are at the same stage of the summer. Liverpool won’t care much, but Ten Hag & Co. well.
GOAL!
77min: It’s FOUR! Pellestri comes on the game after Amad runs away from Robertson and shoved the ball inside the area to be shoved home.
70min: Nunez’s first real goal, who knocks down a Robertson cross to his chest on the edge of the field and hits a half volley right at Heaton.
69min: It appears that De Gea has suffered an injury. He gestured to the couch before getting off.
67min: Heaton plays for De Gea.
63min: Nunez’s first bet is to put pressure on De Gea before the goalkeeper hastily clears the ball.