Manchester United vs Liverpool LIVE: Pre-season friendly result, final score and reaction

If the low points for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick last season may have come in harrowing hammerings against Liverpool, Erik ten Hag at least marked a break with the recent past on his bow as Manchester United manager. Solskjaer lost 5-0 and Rangnick 4-0 and, in the context of that, United could savour a scoreline that brought a 4-0 win, even if a pre-season friendly scarcely carries the same weight. Liverpool finished 34 points ahead of United last season and, in a game when Jurgen Klopp fielded 32 players and Ten Hag’s first-half side a plausible starting 11 for the opening day featured clubs at different stages of planning.

Nevertheless, United’s first look at Ten Hag’s ideas offered some encouragement.

Rich Jolly has the match report from today:

And for the Reds, it’s another Premier League rival up next too, with the added bonus of a trophy on home soil up for grabs before the season kicks off properly.

15 July vs Crystal Palace

21 July vs RB Leipzig

27 July vs RB Salzburg

30 July vs Manchester City (Community Shield)

31 July vs Strasbourg

After winning their first outing today, this is what Man United have coming next:

15 July vs Melbourne Victory

19 July vs Crystal Palace

23 July vs Aston Villa

30 July vs Atletico Madrid

31 July vs Rayo Vallecano

For Liverpool, it was a first look at new midfielder Fabio Carvalho in the first half, a first look at new striker Darwin Nunez in the second and, erm, a first look at a very colourful new away kit.

Which seems to have split opinion, as usual.

A busy pre-season for Ten Hag as he starts his United carer, but it couldn’t have gone much better today.

United fans got a first look at their new boss and his team, which in fairness looked a lot like last season’s team given a lack of signings and no change in formation.

Here they are all in order: Sancho, Fred, Martial and Pellistri with the goals for Man United against Liverpool. The Brazilian’s was the pick of the bunch as an individual finish, but the fourth was a sweeping counter which was pleasing on the eye too.

Some decent individual performers out there for United today, with Sancho and De Gea notable in the first half and young midfielder Iqbal impressing in the second.

Of course the result is a plus, but won’t be looked at too much given the balance of play - but some fine defensive work to limit space for Liverpool will be another positive the manager enjoyed at times.

Salah has another chance at the far post which is blocked just before the whistle goes.

Three times Liverpool changed their line-up, three times they hit the woodwork, but no goals and no breakthrough for the Reds.

United on the other hand were capitalising on every opportunity they had in the first half and goals from Sancho, Fred and Martial put them clear at the break, with Pellistri hitting another in the second half.

Another chance for Darwin which he can’t quite get on the end of after a fantastic delivery from Alexander-Arnold. Darwin then combines with Robertson and Keita volleys - blocked away.

Two minutes added on.

Keita and Robertson combine on the left but there’s no way into the United box. The ball then bounces Keita’s way once more and he winds a half-volley up, but smashes off-target.

Salah then streaks behind Telles after an error and crosses toward Darwin, it’s headed out, Salah whacks it in and hits the post - again - and Darwin’s rebound strike flies over!