MANCHESTER, England — If things work out for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, he may well look back on Liverpool‘s visit to Old Trafford early in his first season as something of a pivotal moment.
He will be relieved, of course, to get his first competitive win since arriving from Ajax Amsterdam this summer and delighted to have done it against an archrival in a big game, one that a saw large group of Manchester United supporters protest the Glazers’ ownership.
Instead, Monday’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool also will be remembered — perhaps just as importantly — as the night the Dutch manager put his stamp on the squad.
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In dropping Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire for arguably the biggest game of the season, Ten Hag gave notice to his players that he is in charge. After a demoralising start that briefly saw United fall to the bottom of the Premier League table, victory over Liverpool will do everything for the confidence and self-belief in a dressing room that looked at rock bottom following the 4-0 defeat to Brentford nine days earlier. But it could be the team selection that ends up having a far bigger impact.
Ten Hag spent the summer ruling with a quiet authority but picked his moment to show his teeth. You can’t get much more ruthless than benching your star striker and club captain (with Bruno Fernandes instead wearing the armband) against Liverpool at home.
“I have a squad, and we have to use the squad,” Ten Hag said afterward. “We play 50 or 60 games, and from game to game, we will see what team we will pick. I don’t have to mention Maguire and Ronaldo; they are amazing players, and they will play a role in the future and the short-term future, as well.
“We have a squad and a way of play, of style, but also a game plan. You look at what’s the best approach for the game. We need a squad because we have many games to cover, so we make a team out of the squad, we stick together as a squad and we achieve a lot. I’m confident about that.”
