Manchester United delivered a performance full of intensity and spirit as they beat Liverpool 2-1 on Monday in the Premier League this season.

Jadon Sancho in the 16^th minute and Marcus Rashford in the 53^rd got a victory that will bring some respite for under-pressure Coach Erik ten Hag, which made a big statement in his selection by dropping star striker Cristiano Ronaldo and club Captain Harry Maguire and was validated.

Mohamed Salah scored an 81^st-minute consolation but it was another under-par display from Liverpool.

United endured a week of criticism after their 4-0 hammering at Brentford last weekend, but responded in style to leapfrog Jurgen Klopp’s side and earn a first league win over their bitter rivals since March 2018. It was also ten Hag’s first as United manager.

It was a different United on Monday, they had nervous their visitor even more when Sancho was given time to turn onto his left foot in the box and fire past unsighted Alisson and David de Gea did not have a save to make before the break.

United kept up what they promised and doubled their advantage with eight minutes into the second period. Anthony Martial set Rashford free to beat Alisson at his near post.

The visitors finally gathered to pull a goal back with 10 minutes remaining as Mohamed Salah became the first player in Liverpool’s history to score 10 goals against United when he nodded home the rebound from Fabio Carvalho’s shot.

Player ratings

Man Utd: De Gea (6) Dalot (6), Varane (7), Martinez (9), Malacia (8), McTominay (8), Eriksen (7), Fernandes (7) Sancho (8), Elanga (6), Rashford (9).

Subs: Martial (8), Fred (6), Ronaldo, Van de Beek (n/a).

Liverpool: Alisson (6), Alexander-Arnold (4), Gomez (4), Van Dijk (4), Robertson (5) Henderson (4), Milner (4), Elliott (5), Salah (7), Firmino (5), Diaz (6).

Subs: Fabinho (6), Carvalho (6) Tsimikas (n/a).

Man of the match: Marcus Rashford.