Manchester United might be about to send a bigger message than they did with win vs Liverpool

Manchester United roared their Premier League season into life against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Monday night.

The intensity of United's performance was a direct contrast to the whimpering defeats they suffered against Brighton and Brentford, as Erik ten Hag's side looked like a team possessed. They flung themselves into every tackle and pressed Liverpool's dynamic front-line from the outset.

Jurgen Klopp's side were no doubt far from their best - but United forced their opponents into sloppy passes and mistakes as they stamped their authority on the match. The defeat was Liverpool's first of the calendar year in the league , something which no doubt would have brought a smile to the faces of fans after Klopp demanded all three points be awarded to his side if the game was called off amid the protest against the Glazers.

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United now turn their attentions to Southampton on Saturday, and the match will be a polar opposite experience for the players. Away from the roar of the home crowd and the floodlights at Old Trafford - will the players be able to match their intensity for a Saturday lunchtime kick-off at St Mary's Stadium?

It was not uncommon under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for United to stun fans with a performance akin to Monday night's - only to come unstuck a short while later when they had to break teams down. Ten Hag will be all too aware of the different challenge that faces his side this weekend.

Speaking after the Liverpool victory to the club's in-house media, Ten Hag said the win was just the beginning of United's season.

“It is only the start, we have to keep humble, but I think we can play a bit better if we have a little bit more composure, give an