Erik ten Hag took charge of Manchester United for the first time at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on Tuesday afternoon.The Dutchman couldn’t have asked for a tougher first game. Fierce rivals Liverpool, last season’s Premier League and Champions League runners-up, were the opponents at the start of pre-season.Ten Hag named a strong starting line-up with the likes of David de Gea, Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho all in the XI. There was no start for the club’s first summer signing Tyrell Malacia, while unsettled Cristiano Ronaldo is expected the miss the entire tour due to a personal issue.Liverpool, meanwhile, started with Alisson, Jordan Henderson and Luis Diaz in their starting XI.Jurgen Klopp also handed a first start to 19-year-old Fabio Carvalho, a summer signing from Fulham, while £85 million striker Darwin Nunez was named among the substitutes.

Man Utd's stunning first half vs Liverpool

However, United produced a sensational first-half performance, racing into a 3-0 lead before half-time thanks to goals from Jadon Sancho, Fred and Anthony Martial.

Sancho produced an excellent first-time finish after Liverpool failed to clear their lines:

But the best moment of the first half was provided by Fred, whose chip over Alisson was sublime:

What a goal.

Anthony Martial then made it 3-0 with another exquisite finish after bursting down the right flank:

What an incredible performance from Ten Hag’s men.

Diego Dalot almost made it 4-0 before half-time but the full-back’s shot came back off the post.

Ten Hag couldn't have asked for a better first 45 minutes from his players.

ARNHEM, NETHERLANDS - MAY 15: AFC Ajax Head Coach / Manager, Erik ten Hag looks on prior to the Dutch Eredivisie match between Vitesse and Ajax Amsterdam held at Gelredome on May 15, 2022 in Arnhem, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)