Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Rio Ferdinand notices instant Ten Hag impact on Man Utd, as Andy Cole lauds standout youngster

Rio Ferdinand, April 2022

Rio Ferdinand and Andy Cole both felt impressed after Manchester United beat Liverpool 4-0 to kick off the club’s new chapter under Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils are looking to bounce back this campaign following a tumultuous term which ended with a sixth-placed Premier League finish. And while it is only the start of pre-season, United got off to a perfect start on Tuesday.

Jadon Sancho scored first after only 12 minutes and it was 3-0 in Bangkok before half-time after Fred and Anthony Martial got on the scoresheet.

Man Utd then rang the changes at half time, before Liverpool made their second raft of second raft of substitutes. But it was the Red Devils who had the last laugh, Facundo Pellistri making it 4-0.

Ferdinand was a vocal critic of his former side last season, taking aim at the players, coaches and owners in a root-and-branch assessment of the club’s woes.

In his latest verdict, though, the pundit got a great first impression from Dutch manager Ten Hag.

“Seen a few things we’ve been crying out for the last few years,” Ferdinand wrote on Twitter. “But we’ve seen it sparingly before.

“All in all.. good day at the office! I’m feeling the Ten Hag look on the touch line.”

United gave minutes to a host of young talents such as Pellistri, Zidane Iqbal and Amad Diallo.

But for former Red Devils star Andy Cole, it was Charlie Savage – the son of former player Robbie – who stole the day on that front.

Ferdinand, Cole give rave Man Utd reviews

“I was impressed with the young boy being given the opportunity and I thought he did really well,” Cole told MUTV of Savage’s performance.

“He was playing against Liverpool. I know he has done it when he was against the kids, but this is pre-season and it gives you the chance to try and get to where you want.

“I thought he did really well when he came on.

“The higher you go in midfield, you have got to keep the ball and he did exactly that today.”

Solid start for Ten Hag

The 4-0 win over Liverpool may only be a step towards the real test for Ten Hag, but he could not have got off to a better start.

He admitted that he found a lot of “mistakes” in his side’s performance, but the result has got fans onside straight away.

And it gives Man Utd momentum going into the rest of pre-season and ahead of the Premier League starting.

Next up for United are Melbourne Victory on Friday, before another Premier League test against Crystal Palace.