Even though Erik ten Hag’s squad did not play at its peak against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, they were still able to keep the latter club to a draw at Old Trafford this past weekend.

Sunday’s Premier League match between Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United ended in a 2-2 tie at Old Trafford.

Midway through the first half, Luis Diaz gave Liverpool the lead. Five minutes into the second half, Bruno Fernandes tied the score for the Red Devils.

Halfway in the second half, United took a 2-1 lead thanks to Kobbie Mainoo. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who has the potential to permanently depart Anfield during the summer transfer window, scored the equaliser from the penalty spot in the 84th minute.

Liverpool had several opportunities, and I believe the Merseyside team ought to have seized them to win the game.

United won’t likely benefit much from the draw. Ten Hag’s squad is not going to defeat Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa to claim fourth place in the Premier League standings this year, in my opinion.

While watching the game, talkSPORT analyst Alan Pardew saw that two United attackers were not contributing to the team’s defensive efforts.

According to the previous manager of Newcastle United, Marcus Rashford, an England international, lacked defensive poise.

Alejandro Garnacho did not assist defensively, according to Pardew, who also mentioned that the 19-year-old Argentina international winger failed to track back.

Rashford was positioned on the left, and Garnacho began play on the right wing. As the facilitator, Bruno Fernandes was playing down the middle.

Manchester United player Marcus Rashford chastised Pardew, saying on talkSPORT (8:28 p.m., April 7, 2024): “Listen, Garnacho, before we talk about Rashford, let me tell you something. As excellent as he is and as an attacking threat, he seems like your greatest player offensively. However, he played a dreadful defensive game today, and his tracking back was just as bad as Rashford’s.

“Your centre midfield guys are in serious problems when you have two players who are not tracking back in the necessary detail.

There were a few times today, Casemiro, where he wasn’t rushing back because he was unable to sprint back. He had a lot of work going on.

After the Liverpool match, Erik ten Hag mentioned something about Alejandro Garnacho.
Against Liverpool, Alejandro Garnacho did not play at his peak level for Manchester United.

The winger was United’s primary offensive threat and often appeared dangerous when he got the ball, even if he was unable to consistently test the Liverpool defenders.

Erik ten Hag, the manager of United, stated that Garnacho was fatigued and was not very pleased.

Ten Hag made the following statement on his choice to bench Garnacho, according to the Manchester Evening News: “Alejandro, he wasn’t as fresh as he normally is, and it wasn’t his game today. In games, he consistently had some pivotal moments, but he was worn out.

“They went more offensive during that period to bring more control in the middle of the midfield, and we are winning at that moment.”