Cristiano Ronaldo's brutal pre-match moment with Liverpool legend

If Manchester United fans needed any more reasons to idolise Cristiano Ronaldo, then the Portuguese superstar delivered in spades before the Premier League showdown against Liverpool.

Ronaldo had to settle for being a late substitute as his under-pressure United stunned Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford, to give new manager Erik ten Hag his first league win since taking over at the club.

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Goals for Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford either side of halftime ultimately sealed the points for United, who had to hang on in the second half after Mohamed Salah pulled one goal back for the visitors.

Having lost their opening two league matches against Brighton and Brentford, the victory was a timely boost for the Red Devils against their most bitter rivals.

Evidence of the animosity that exists between the two English giants was apparent before kick-off, when Ronaldo delivered a brutal snub towards Liverpool legend, Jamie Carragher.

The former Reds defender, working as a pundit for Sky Sports, was taking part in the pre-game discussions with Manchester United legends Gary Neville and Roy Keane, when Ronaldo came over to greet them.

Carragher - who has been critical of Ronaldo's desire to leave Old Trafford and questioned what effect that could have on the United dressing room - was nevertheless keen to hear from the superstar before kick-off.

The Reds great held his microphone out for Ronaldo to talk into but the forward walked straight past Carragher to shake Neville's hand.

Carragher again tried to have a chat with Ronaldo but suffered the same fate as the Portuguese star again brushed him to go and shake Keane's hand.

Ronaldo then walked back towards his teammates on the pitch, as the Sky Sports crew and fans joked at Carragher's expense, about Ronaldo's brutal snub.

The eyes of the footballing world were focused on a rocking Old Trafford as these old foes went toe-to-toe in search of their first Premier League wins of the season.

United had started the weekend bottom of the table after their four-goal humbling at Brentford compounded the home loss to Brighton, but Ten Hag's side responded with a display of determination, aggression and skill.

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Sancho showed remarkable composure when putting the hosts ahead and Rashford extended their advantage early in the second half, with Ten Hag's men holding out for victory after Salah reduced the deficit late on.

It was a nervy conclusion but getting over the line underlined the turnaround in character and performance from last weekend's loss at Brentford, as well as last season's humiliations home and away to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool.

New signing Casemiro would have liked what he saw and was introduced to the Red Devils' faithful before kick-off - but that move was never going to take the edge off the United fans' protests against their despised owners.

Thousands marched to the match and anti-Glazer chants provided a constant backdrop to Monday night's contest without detracting from their support of the team, who responded with a quality performance.

Anthony Elanga hit a post and soon set up Sancho to coolly score in a first half that ended with Lisandro Martinez preventing Bruno Fernandes from scoring an own goal.

Anthony Martial was introduced at halftime and put Rashford through to end his 997-minute goal drought in all competitions, with the hosts threatening to pull further ahead before David De Gea's goal came under late pressure.

United's number one was unable to prevent Salah's late header creeping in but the team dug deep to seal the three points, meaning they leapt above Liverpool in the table.

with AAP

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