Manchester United: Rio Ferdinand left impressed by Red Devils' performance in 4-0 rout of Liverpool

Rio Ferdinand has showered Erik ten Hag in praise after watching Manchester United thrash arch-rivals Liverpool 4-0 in their pre-season meeting in Bangkok.

It was a superb display by United, who surged into a three-goal lead before half-time with Jadon Sancho, Fred and Anthony Martial all on target. Facundo Pellistri added a fourth before the end to get Ten Hag’s reign off to an excellent start.

Liverpool looked off the pace for large parts, with Jurgen Klopp changing all 10 outfield players after half an hour and again on 60 minutes, while Ten Hag made 10 changes at half-time.

And while it is still very early days, Ferdinand insists he saw positive patterns of play from United that they've been 'crying out for years', including an effective press from the front which Ten Hag has become renowned for.

It was a brief glimpse at a blueprint that Ten Hag is looking to instill at United – something past managers have failed to implement, according to the United icon.

Ferdinand tweeted: 'Seen a few things we been crying out for the last few yrs [sic]… 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. #MUTOUR22'

It was a good start for Ten Hag on a night when Fred's goal was the highlight, having met a poor clearance with an audacious right-footed chip from 20 yards that sailed over Brazil team-mate Alisson Becker in the Liverpool goal.

The Dutchman was keen to play down the significance of the result against a team that beat United 9-0 on aggregate in the Premier League last season, saying he was happy but had seen ‘a lot of mistakes’.

‘I’m satisfied today,’ Ten Hag told MUTV. ‘It was a team with a great spirit and we know we are just getting started. We made some mistakes in the press, we conceded some chances, but we created a lot.

‘We have to work hard to cut out the mistakes but, of course, we are happy. I know we have good players. We have started to build a team and I am happy with the first game.

‘It will take a lot of time. I have seen a lot of mistakes. Liverpool played three teams, they were not at their strongest. We will not overestimate this result.

‘But still, I have seen some really good things. A lot of speed and creativity up front.’