Anthony Martial scored an impressive goal on his debut as Manchester United recorded a morale-boosting 3-1 Barclays Premier League win over Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Daley Blind opened the scoring early in the second half and saved his side at the other end with a goal-line clearance before Ander Herrera won and converted a penalty to put the hosts two up.
David de Gea, who signed a new contract this week, could do nothing on his return to the starting line-up to stop a stunning Christian Benteke overhead kick before Martial, the signing from Monaco, marked his debut by coming off the bench to seal the points with an excellent solo goal.
It meant United inflicted a second consecutive defeat on Liverpool, while Louis van Gaal's side move up to second in the early-season table.
Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal gave the travelling fans an early moment of panic by directing a throw straight at Juan Mata. The Spain midfielder fed United’s stand-in striker Marouane Fellaini, who was playing in place of the injured Wayne Rooney, but the Belgian’s long-range chip was well over.
Poor control from Fellaini meant the rare opportunities United had in Liverpool's area went astray, while Liverpool struggled to provide their lone striker, Benteke, with meaningful service as neither side registered a shot on target in the first half.
Van Gaal made a half-time change with Ashley Young replacing Memphis Depay and he made an immediate impact, winning a free-kick from Nathaniel Clyne on the edge of the Liverpool box.
Mata took it, cutting a pass back to the 18-yard line where an onrushing Blind was unmarked. The Netherlands centre-back took full advantage of the space, curling a left-footed strike into the top corner.
A timely intervention from Chris Smalling gave United a let-off after De Gea's scuffed clearance had presented Liverpool with a rare opening at the other end. The United goalkeeper made amends with a sprawling stop to divert Danny Ings' bouncing effort away after a free-kick had deflected into the Liverpool forward's path.
Brendan Rodgers' side were starting to become more threatening and Blind had to make two frantic clearances from the goal-line after Martin Skrtel had headed on a James Milner corner to cause a mad scramble.
Any hopes of a Liverpool comeback were hit when United won a penalty. Michael Carrick fed Herrera, who was felled by Joe Gomez in the box. The Spanish midfielder stepped up to smash the spot-kick into the net.
Milner shot narrowly over with a free-kick and Benteke headed over the crossbar from a decent chance as the away team attempted to respond. De Gea was then called into action again with a diving stop to deny substitute Jordon Ibe.
Liverpool continued to press and had hope of a late recovery when Benteke produced a stunning overhead kick after an Ibe cross had been headed into the air.
But those hopes were dashed when Martial went on an excellent solo run, beating Skrtel and converting a cool finish into the far corner to mark his debut in style.
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