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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has played down the significance of his side's 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford, insisting that no one should expect "magical outcomes" overnight.
A Tough Day at Old Trafford
United were overwhelmed by a dominant Liverpool side, who had already seen a goal disallowed before Luis Diaz scored twice in the first half. Mohamed Salah added a third shortly after the break, and United were fortunate to avoid a repeat of their 5-0 humiliation in this fixture two years ago.
Despite the heavy defeat, ten Hag refused to be overly critical of his team, which included six of his signings. The Dutchman pointed out that new £50.5m signing Manuel Ugarte, introduced to the fans before kick-off, still needs time to adjust.
"Not Harry Potter"
Ten Hag was keen to manage expectations, saying, "It is not like I am Harry Potter. For three players, it was their first start of the season. Manuel Ugarte did not play one minute – he needs to build his fitness. Then we have to build him into the team. I am sure he will contribute to our team. It will take a couple of weeks, maybe even a month."
Mixed Performances
The match highlighted some of United's current struggles. Striker Joshua Zirkzee had a mixed performance, squandering United’s best chances while failing to connect with his teammates. Matthijs de Ligt, paired with Lisandro Martinez in defence, looked shaky, and young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was often outplayed by Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch.
Ten Hag also made the bold move to substitute veteran midfielder Casemiro at half-time after a poor first-half showing. The Brazilian was at fault for Liverpool’s first two goals, and there were rumours that he left the stadium early, which ten Hag dismissed. "He didn’t leave the stadium at half-time," he clarified. "I met him in the dressing room after the game."
A "Different Vision"
In his post-match press conference, ten Hag defended his approach, saying he had a "different vision" from those who claim United are repeating old mistakes. He acknowledged the need for improvement but remained optimistic about the season ahead. "This defeat hurts for us and our fans. It is the third game of the season. We have to build a new team. We will be fine, but it is clear we have to improve. At the end of the season, I am quite confident we will have a big chance to lift another trophy."
Looking Ahead
Despite the defeat, ten Hag remains focused on the long-term goal of rebuilding the team. With new signings still integrating and key players like Ugarte needing time to settle, the United boss believes there is still a lot to play for this season.