Manchester United’s difficult start to the season continued on Sunday afternoon with a convincing defeat to rivals Liverpool.
Luis Diaz scored twice and Mohamed Salah scored again at Old Trafford as United’s players were booed off the pitch after their second defeat in three games at the start of the season.
Casemiro was caught by Erik ten Hag at half-time after scoring the first two goals, while Marcus Rashford was also booed by the fans in attendance for his performance.
For Liverpool, however, it was the third win in three games under Arne Slot and they go into the international break with a good feeling after their impressive start to the season.
Mail Sport’s LEWIS STEELE was on hand at Old Trafford to assess the Liverpool players.
Luis Diaz scored twice for Liverpool as the Reds dominated Manchester United at Old Trafford
Mohamed Salah also scored as Liverpool won 3-0 to make it 3-1 so far this season
Liverpool fans sang Arne Slot’s name as he won again while manager of the Reds
Alisson Becker-7
Great save to stop Joshua Zirkzee from close range in the 63rd minute to prevent any chance of a comeback. Several other regular stops too, and was quick off his line to clear when Casemiro put Marcus Rashford through in the first half.
Trent Alexander Arnold – 7.5
Missed by Diogo Dalot in the first minute, which made the crowd cheer, but after that no more mistakes. Brilliant passes and an attacking threat all the time. Too bad a goal was disallowed after a nice finish.
Ibrahim Konate-7
He intimidated Zirkzee throughout what was a poor first start for the Dutch number 9, making several key interceptions and being a confidant figure at the back for United.
Virgil from Dijk – 7
A captain’s performance as he stood up for teammate Domink Szoboszlai when the latter was the victim of a nasty tackle from Lisandro Martinez. The Dutchman consistently cleared the ball and won it high up the pitch on multiple occasions to start attacks.
Andy Robertson-7
Strong in duels against Alejandro Garnacho, who had no sniffle all day. Came forward well and complemented Diaz on the left.
Ryan Gravenberch – 8.5 (MOTM)
Who needs a new No. 6? This was an all-action display on what was an imperious afternoon for Gravenberch. Slot trusts him completely and the Dutchman plays with confidence. He made important interceptions, glided through midfield with ease and rarely lost the ball. Excellent.
Ryan Gravenberch has taken to the role of number 6 like a fish in water and has once again delivered a great performance
Trent Alexander-Arnold meanwhile was unlucky to have a goal disallowed and impressed the attackers
Alexis Mac Allister-7
Played a bit deeper than usual and put in a solid shift without the ball. Slipped past Casemiro several times in the first half.
Mohammed Salah-8
That’s 10 goals in his last seven trips to Old Trafford. Simply sublime start to the season for Salah, even if his strike here was aided by the terrible positioning of goalkeeper André Onana. Looks sharper than ever and shows no signs of age. The difference maker.
Dominic Szoboszlai – 8
Gary Neville called him ‘unprofessional’ for taking an extra touch when he should have made it 4-0 in the closing stages. It really wasn’t that deep. Otherwise this would have been an excellent performance from Szoboszlai. He never stopped running and has already equalled his assist total from last season.
Louse Diaz – 8.5
If he could add some end product to his game, he could become one of the best attackers in the Premier League and finally replace Sadio Mane’s clinical nature. On the evidence of this season, that prolific nature is coming. Two great goals here after a man-of-the-match display last Sunday.
Diaz could become one of the best attackers in the Premier League if he can add some end product to his game
Diogo Jota-7
A slightly quieter evening for Jota after two solid performances at the start of the season, but he still played his part, especially off the ball and applying good pressure.
Substitutes
Cody Gakpo (for Diaz, 66) – 6.5
Conor Bradley (for Alexander-Arnold, 75) – 6.5
Darwin Nunez (for Jota, 75) – 6
Kostas Tsimikas (for Robertson, 83) – N/A