Erik Ten Hag hails Man Utd's fighting spirit following win over rivals Liverpool

Erik ten Hag hailed Manchester United's fighting spirit following their stunning victory over rivals Liverpool.

United bounced back from two successive – and humiliating – defeats at the start of their Premier League campaign to beat their fiercest rivals 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Reflecting on his first competitive victory as United boss, Ten Hag told Sky Sports: "Now you see we bring attitude on the pitch and there was communication, there was a fighting spirit and there was a team, and you can see what they can achieve because they can play good football."

United have faced much criticism since last week’s 4-0 loss at Brentford but they looked a different team from the outset against Liverpool, winning with goals in each half from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.

Mohamed Salah pulled one back late on but the hosts – on a night when protests against the club’s owners, the Glazers, were stepped up by fans – held on.

Ten Hag said: "I’m really happy and satisfied. We wanted a different approach and we have got that.

"Brentford was not the way I want to play football. I want to see a team, I want to see players who fight. You have to be brave in and out of possession and I think we have seen that today all over the pitch."But we have a long way to go. When you are in a process you have to deal with setbacks but you also have highlights and today was a highlight."

Ten Hag made two strong selection calls in leaving Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire out of his starting line-up.

The Dutchman said: "We have a squad and we have a way of playing, a style and a game plan. You look at what is the best approach to the game.

"That is what we did today and we will do it every game. Today it was those players, Saturday it could be different."

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