Manchester United were beaten 3-0 at Old Trafford as Arne Slot continued his perfect start as Liverpool manager.

United colleague Erik ten Hag fielded new signings such as Joshua Zirkzee, Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt from what was seen as an impressive summer transfer window, but United were 2-0 down at half-time, with Casemiro responsible for Liverpool’s goals. The 32-year-old midfielder was substituted at half-time. Another new signing, Manuel Ugarte, was unveiled before the game, but is he the best option to replace the Brazilian?

Liverpool, who had a much quieter summer in terms of signings, gave their new boss the dream result as Luis Diaz’s new-found clinical finishing and Mohamed Salah’s brilliance helped Slot’s side run out comfortable winners. Even their number 6 problem now looks less of an issue as Ryan Gravenberch impressed in midfield while Slot became the first Liverpool manager/head coach to oversee three clean sheets in his first three league games as a top-flight manager.

Andy Jones, Mark Critchley and Mark Carey analyse the action from Old Trafford.

How should Ten Hag solve the Casemiro question?

In commentary for Sky Sports, the British announcer of the match, former United defender Gary Neville noted that none of Casemiro’s mistakes were the kind you would expect, particularly the reckless loss of possession that led to Liverpool’s first goal.

But Casemiro is often surprisingly ambitious on the ball, attempting the sorts of passes that only some of the world’s best deep-lying playmakers can consistently execute. The 32-year-old’s pass completion rate was among the bottom half of Premier League midfielders last season. He ended the first half today having misplaced 10 of his 37 passes.

Sometimes that willingness to take risks is necessary, but in a team with Bruno Fernandes who plays a lot of low-percentage balls, it helps if your defensive midfielder is a bit more sure-footed. Does new signing Ugarte solve this? Yes and no. The €50m (£42.1m/$55.3m) signing from Paris Saint-Germain, nine years younger than Casemiro, is generally a much more conservative player in possession.

Manuel Ugarte was introduced to fans before the match (Michael Regan/Getty Images)

He is less susceptible to pressure and will be better able to respond to the open spaces left by United’s approach under Ten Hag.

But as humiliating as Casemiro’s half-time substitution was, it certainly won’t be his last appearance for the club. After failing to attract any transfer interest this summer, one of United’s highest-earning players will still play a key role for them during a long and arduous campaign, even if the intensity of elite football increasingly seems beyond him.

Mark Critchley

Is Diaz becoming more clinical?

Diaz’s two goals showed a level of composure and control that has not always been present in the 27-year-old’s game.

There have always been question marks over the Colombia international’s goals and assists, never more so than last season after glaring misses in the 1-1 draw against Manchester City at Anfield. Overall, Diaz finished three goals below his personal expected goals (xG) total last season.

Under new head coach Slot, the pressure was on Diaz to improve his contribution in front of goal this season.

With Dominik Szoboszlai equally keen to head Salah’s cross in at the far post, Diaz may have been concerned about his team-mate’s presence, but he headed the ball into the net.

The second finish, which saw Salah’s pass careened into the bottom corner, was a finish that doesn’t suit Diaz – where power and spectacle are usually on the menu. There was precision and no overcomplication here. He instinctively chose the right finish. Diaz has now scored more Premier League goals against United than any other opponent (four).

Even last weekend’s opening goal against Brentford wasn’t tinged with overthinking or trying to be too clever or precise. It was a ruthless strike to end a swift counter-attack, a shot flying past Mark Flekken without a second thought.

This season, from a small sample size, Diaz has scored three goals with an xG of just 1.2. It also helps that he is regularly finding himself in goalscoring positions, with consistency now being key.

Did Ten Hag make wrong choices in attacking positions?

Changes were always expected from Ten Hag and, after vibrant contributions from the bench in the first two games of the season, Alejandro Garnacho’s return to the starting line-up was overdue. That was no surprise. That it came at the expense of Amad, United’s goalscorer in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton and yesterday named the club’s player of the month for August, perhaps was. Especially as it was a choice between him and Marcus Rashford.

Ten Hag has shown faith in Rashford, not only because of his seven goals in this match – his best record against an opponent other than Leicester City – but also because he is pleased with his performances at this early stage of the season. Few players are in the spotlight as much as the 26-year-old, and Ten Hag firmly dismissed criticism of Rashford’s performance at Brighton last weekend as “stupid”.

(Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)

Rashford repaid him with some brilliant combinations down the left with Diogo Dalot in the opening stages of the game. After the break, Rashford’s crosses twice set up presentable chances for Zirkzee. And yet, this was also Rashford’s third consecutive appearance without a shot, let alone a goal. It is now 12 games since he last scored — in the FA Cup quarter-final between these two teams in March.

Until that drought, rightly or wrongly, is over, Rashford’s achievements will remain under the microscope.

When Garnacho was substituted in the 69th minute, there were cheers at Old Trafford.

It wasn’t hard to tell who they wanted as a replacement.

Mark Critchley

Why were Gravenberch’s runs so important?

Discussions over Liverpool’s midfield dominated the summer, but Slot fielded the same trio in each of the first three games, with one player still standing out.

Gravenberch endured an indifferent debut season in 2023-24 at Liverpool, but the Netherlands international now looks set to stake his claim as an integral member of the starting XI. Strong performances against Ipswich and Brentford were encouraging, but a dominant display at Old Trafford showed that compatriot Slot can truly trust him.

The 22-year-old looked comfortable in a deeper role and showed his key attributes against United, driving forward into space and drawing opponents towards him. His wiry frame and long limbs allow him to receive the ball in tight spaces and fend off pressure from behind – retaining possession brilliantly while shrugging off those who dare steal the ball from him.

Amid the chaos of United’s retreating defence, there was calm in Gravenberch’s mind as he punished Ten Hag’s team by winning the ball back, stretching his legs and freeing Salah in front of him for Liverpool’s first two goals.

As you can see below, quick shots across the halfway line and dribbling into the final third of the pitch have become a regular part of his game in the early stages of the season.

Gravenberch has been adapting to the Premier League over the past year, following his move from Bayern Munich. This could be Gravenberch’s breakthrough season in a Liverpool shirt.

Judging from his first performances, it seems like he definitely will.

Mark Carey

Are Liverpool building a stronger defence?

In Liverpool’s last 18 Premier League games last season, they kept just three clean sheets. It took them three games to achieve that tally.

One of Liverpool’s problems during that 2023-24 season was their tendency to concede, usually the first goal of a game. It was one of the areas where you felt there was a clear and necessary improvement that Slot could make when he arrived to succeed Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool have not played perfectly defensively in their first three games. There is still an openness, which is an accepted consequence of playing with a midfield group that is more suited to possession than to destroying the defence.

(Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Yet there is overwhelming dominance and self-confidence in the defense. The big chances for the home team only came today when Slot’s team was 3-0 up.

They still needed Alisson to stop Zirkzee from close range on the hour mark. The 32-year-old continues to remind everyone how important he is and that he is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world, even as Liverpool begin their succession planning by signing the man they hope will be his eventual replacement, Giorgi Mamardashvili, this summer.

From a defensive perspective, it’s all luck, and that goes for Trent Alexander-Arnold too. He was in a much better mood when he was substituted for Conor Bradley on 76 minutes than when Slot made the same substitution three minutes earlier in last week’s game against Brentford.

Andy Jones

What’s next for Manchester United?

Saturday September 14: Southampton (A), Premier League, 12.30pm BST, 7.30am ET

What’s next for Liverpool?

Saturday September 14: Nottingham Forest (home), Premier League, 15:00 BST, 10:00 ET

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(Top photo: Getty Images)