Podcast opinion: United win was a big statement
Manchester United's powerful performance and 2-1 triumph over Liverpool sends a message to the rest of the Premier League, according to football journalist David Ornstein.
He was asked for his thoughts by presenter Sam Homewood as reporters, supporters and pundits alike began to digest what they had just witnessed under the floodlights of Old Trafford - United's first league win over Liverpool for more than four years, and a first domestic loss of 2022 for our arch rivals.
But although that recent history weighed heavily in favour of the visitors, Ornstein felt there was enough evidence in the here and now, in the hour before kick-off, to feel that a home success was actually on the cards.
UTD Podcast: Matchday | Liverpool (H)
podcastUTD Podcast host Sam Homewood guides you through the rollercoaster of emotions that was our electrifying Premier League win over Liverpool at Old Trafford, with a stellar cast of contributors. Listeners can hear the thoughts of Sky Sports’ Dave Jones and Martin Tyler, Treble winner Jaap Stam, ex-Reds Dion Dublin, Ben Thornley, Gary Pallister, John O’Shea and Quinton Fortune, US pundit Jimmy Conrad, plus journalists Andy Mitten and David Ornstein. There’s even a late cameo from the great Stormzy. Of course, you can also hear from Erik ten Hag, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho and Christian Eriksen, so what are you waiting for? Check out our latest episode and relive a stunning evening at the Theatre of Dreams.
"Then I saw the teamsheet, where Liverpool looked well below par in midfield and with a very underwhelming bench as well, whereas United had a strong line-up and a very strong bench. United players, fans, staff, execs were in no uncertain terms aware of how much this meant and I just felt that gave them the edge.
"With all that in mind, the result didn't surprise me. I thought United were going to win. But I didn't expect that level of performance. And that is a big statement for Erik ten Hag, for these players who are under huge pressure.
"I think it's going to send a message to the rest of the Premier League, it's going to give them some momentum and a nice platform now from which to build."
When asked to name the players that caught his eye, Ornstein selected a trio who all had points to prove going into the game.
"I thought Marcus Rashford answered his critics," the journalist told us. "He'll still want to raise his level but he's received quite a lot of stick in recent times and the way he responded, even within the match when there were moments of adversity, he came back magnificently well and he took his goal with aplomb.
"I thought Jadon Sancho reached a level, especially with his goal which was a magnificent team goal but individually, against an opposition like Liverpool, I don't think we've seen that from him in a Manchester United shirt."
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"But if there was one who really will stay in my mind when I leave Old Trafford tonight, it will be Lisandro Martinez.
"He was a warrior, he was colossal. I thought he made up for any lack of height with an imposing physical performance, positionally perfect.
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"He belongs at this level and I believe he can be a star for Manchester United going forward."
To hear more from Ornstein, as well as other media representatives, ex-players including Jaap Stam and Dion Dublin, and even celebrity fan Stormzy, listen to the latest episode of UTD Podcast on ManUtd.com and in the United App.