Ten Hag praises Liverpool’s maturity, defends Rashford ahead of clash

Ahead of Manchester United’s high-stakes Premier League match against Liverpool at Old Trafford, manager Erik ten Hag has acknowledged Liverpool’s advantage as a more cohesive and experienced team.

Speaking to the press, Ten Hag noted that Liverpool are in a different “phase of the life cycle” compared to his United side, which he described as still in the process of building a new team.

“Liverpool is a mature team with players who have played together for a long time and are very experienced,” Ten Hag commented. “We are much more mixed and we have to build a new team.”

Liverpool, who finished five places and 22 points ahead of United last season, have not lost to their rivals in the Premier League since August 2022. Ten Hag pointed out that Liverpool’s current manager, Arne Slot, has inherited a well-established squad, making them a formidable opponent.

In addition to discussing Liverpool’s strengths, Ten Hag defended Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, who has faced criticism for his performance in the season’s opening matches.

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Rashford, who was substituted after 65 minutes in United’s recent 2-1 loss to Brighton, has been the subject of sharp criticism, including from BBC pundit Alan Shearer. Ten Hag dismissed Shearer’s analysis as “stupid,” emphasizing his satisfaction with Rashford’s efforts.

“Everyone gets criticism from you guys, it doesn’t matter what we are doing,” Ten Hag said. “I was very happy with him in pre-season and in the matches against Fulham and Brighton. The conclusion that he is not performing is wrong.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who has led his team to two victories in their opening league games, downplayed his relationship with Ten Hag ahead of the match. While acknowledging mutual respect, Slot noted that they are not close friends but maintain a good professional relationship.

As the rivalry between the two clubs continues, pundits like Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have offered their insights on the upcoming clash. Carragher expressed confidence in Liverpool’s chances but warned that Old Trafford has historically been a tough venue for the Merseyside club.

Meanwhile, Neville highlighted the importance of the match for Ten Hag, suggesting that a strong performance is crucial for United to regain momentum after a shaky start to the season.

With both teams eager to secure a win, Sunday’s match promises to be a pivotal moment early in the Premier League campaign.