United manager Ten Hag was keen to make a quick start after keeping his job in the summer, and the FA Cup final win over Manchester City undoubtedly helped.

The lack of a credible and available alternative also appeared to play a part in the decision-making process of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the new hierarchy at Old Trafford.

Instead of jumping out of the blocks, United won with a late goal against Fulham at Old Trafford, then lost at Brighton and now they have been swept aside by Liverpool.

There were cheers from United fans during the break and the end of the match, and again when Ten Hag replaced Alejandro Garnacho with Amad Diallo in the second half.

He had already had to make a ruthless substitution at half-time, replacing Casemiro, who had put in a poor performance and helped Liverpool score their first two goals by giving away possession too easily.

It was an uncomfortable afternoon for Ratcliffe, who had to watch grimly from the boardroom as hopes of a fresh start were dashed by the pain of watching Liverpool tear United apart.

There were extenuating circumstances for Ten Hag, with new Paris St-Germain signing Manuel Ugarte unavailable to play. Another summer signing in Leny Yoro is injured, as are Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hojlund.

Such factors cannot, however, disguise the fact that United lack quality, as Liverpool have taught the team a hard lesson in terms of control, intensity and end product.

This was evident, for example, in the image of Casemiro, once the great midfielder at Real Madrid, who looked exhausted last season and would have left in the summer if United had been able to find a buyer. He played so poorly that Ten Hag was prepared to bring on 20-year-old Toby Collyer as a second-half substitute.

The Premier League season may still be in its infancy, but defeats of this nature will inevitably put Ten Hag under the microscope in such a crucial season. And the problem with giving a manager what seems like a stay of execution is that they are always one bad result away from speculation.

That’s why this meeting with old opponents Liverpool was so important and the manner in which United were defeated could prove telling.