Against a backdrop of protests against the club's ownership, Manchester United delivered a performance of intensity and spirit to beat fierce rival Liverpool 2-1 today and finally claim their first points in the Premier League this season.
Composed finishes by Jadon Sancho in the 16th minute and Marcus Rashford in the 53rd earned a victory that will bring some respite for under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag, who made a huge statement in his team selection by dropping star striker Cristiano Ronaldo and club captain Harry Maguire and was validated.
Suddenly, the heat is on Liverpool — widely expected to be a title contender again this season — with Jürgen Klopp's team still waiting for a win after three games and now languishing behind United in the standings. Mohamed Salah scored an 81st-minute consolation but it was another below-par display from Liverpool.
What is historically the biggest game in English football was preceded by a pre-match protest by thousands of United fans angry at the direction and state of the club under owners of 17 years, the Glazer family.
![Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and his teammate Andrew Robertson leave the pitch at the end of the English Premier League match. Photo / AP](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/JTM4W6CUYRHL4IWISNZL7KAXXM.jpg?auth=4f82618b61b5c51001a9854d3ede89e89cb35e048c2328ab93c0f06da5f066a3&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)