Erik ten Hag gets a much-needed show of Man Utd unity – it’s what comes next that matters

The almighty noise that greeted Liverpool forcing a Manchester United goal kick in the opening minutes at Anfield emanated from a sense of expectation among home fans that such swarming of their opponents would lead to another victory of comprehensive embarrassment.

The sound rose as Sofyan Amrabat carried the ball towards his own goal line surrounded by three Liverpool players, and erupted when he played it out against one of his pursuers. It felt like United were on the run, susceptible to a bad beating in the stadium that had seen Liverpool score seven and four, both without reply, on their previous two visits.

That Erik ten Hag’s team were able to suck the spite from the stands yesterday rather than be submerged by it says something about their mental resilience. This did not look like a group of players at odds with their manager.

“I told you,” was Ten Hag’s terse response to a question afterwards about his relationship with them. He has faced scrutiny for his methods as United’s form has veered into emergency territory, with dressing-room grumbles about his didactic coaching and rigid demands growing louder.

But in his view, maintaining standards on and off the pitch is the only way to generate a collective focus from his players and he is unapologetic about that. Becoming the first visitors this season to avoid defeat at Anfield owed much to a cohesive defensive display that strikes at the heart of what Ten Hag is trying to achieve.

There was constant communication between the back line and the two midfielders positioned ahead of them, which meant United reduced the passing lines available to Liverpool in the zone in between. Opponents have found space in that area constantly this season, but United tightened up significantly here.

In the 13th minute, Luke Shaw tracked Mohamed Salah into Liverpool’s inside-right channel and then passed him on to Amrabat with a call. After the move ended, Shaw gave further explanation to Amrabat. It was the kind of joined-up thinking that has escaped United way too often this season.

Shaw and Raphael Varane were especially good positionally, with Jonny Evans a reassuring presence on the ball and Diogo Dalot carrying out his fair share of blocks and clearances.

Kobbie Mainoo could be described as a revelation at the base of United’s midfield, had the 18-year-old not been equally impressive across Stanley Park at Everton on his full Premier League debut three weeks ago. This was his first time playing a senior game at Anfield but the calmness he exuded spoke volumes for his maturity and gives a hugely encouraging glimpse at what United might be able to do in the future.

Mainoo received a caution after 27 minutes for mistiming a tackle on Wataru Endo, but he was able to evade any risk of a red card by sensibly picking his moments to engage. As the game became end-to-end in the second half, Mainoo could have gone into a 50-50 with Endo but stood off and got back into position as Liverpool built.

The teenager also carried an attacking edge, though, at one point twisting away from three Liverpool players and releasing Antony, with United in a four on four. Antony tried the hardest pass with the outside of his left boot and Ibrahima Konate easily intercepted.

Mainoo was also responsible for the pass of the game, bending a ball into Alejandro Garnacho’s path only for Trent Alexander-Arnold to do just enough, by fair or foul means, to put the United winger off.

And this is why any praise of United must be measured. As a yardstick, keeping a clean sheet at Anfield is no more than fine. They had done that four times in their seven previous visits under a variety of managers. What would have separated this performance was scoring — Jesse Lingard, five years ago this week, was the last United player to do that here.

In this goalless draw, the visitors completed just one sequence of nine-plus passes — their lowest this season in all competitions. Against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, for instance, that figure was 13.

Ten Hag referenced wanting three or four passes, then a switch to attack, so there is some design behind the numbers.

United had three nine-plus passing sequences in each Champions League group match against Galatasaray, in keeping with the chaotic nature of those nights, and Liverpool’s counter-pressing approach inevitably means opponents will have more direct attacks. But there were also glaring instances of poor quality interrupting United’s build-up, which must be improved if Ten Hag really is to have a bright future at Old Trafford.

United averaged just 5.3 seconds per move yesterday — again, the lowest number in all competitions this season.

“After the ball regains, you know they have a strong counter-press, but you need to keep the ball,” Ten Hag said. “Three, four passes in, get the switch in, and in such moments you can hurt them.”

Rasmus Hojlund was guilty of missing United’s best chance after being slipped in by Scott McTominay.

Still, the performance was a strong response to accusations United are in total turmoil behind the scenes and finished with the players applauding a packed away end. In March, after being hit for seven at this stadium, that same section was basically empty come full time.

United have been here before, of course, reacting amid adversity. Those spasms have been followed by further setbacks.

Ten Hag will want this show of unity to be the start of something and will hope consistency follows.

(Top photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)