The Frenchman was
introduced as a second-half substitute
and rounded off the scoring at Old Trafford to give Louis
van Gaal's men all three points against their bitter rivals
Anthony Martial scored on his Manchester United debut as
the Red Devils defeated fierce rivals Liverpool 3-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Daley Blind opened the scoring early in the second half and
then saved his side at the other end with a tremendous 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 to stop a stunning Christian Benteke overhead
kick on his return to the starting line-up following the
collapse of his move to
Real Madrid before new signing
Martial marked his debut by coming off the substitutes'
bench to seal the points with an excellent solo goal.
The result meant United inflicted a second consecutive loss
on Liverpool, while Louis van Gaal's side move up to
second in the early-season table.
Simon Mignolet gave the travelling fans an early moment of
panic by directing a throw straight at Juan Mata. The
midfielder fed stand-in striker Marouane Fellaini, who was
playing in place of the injured Wayne Rooney, but his long-
range chip was well over the crossbar.
Poor control from Fellaini meant the rare opportunities
United had in Liverpool's area came to nothing, while
Liverpool struggled to provide their lone striker, Benteke,
with any kind of 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 the former Aston Villa winger
made an immediate impact, winning a free-kick from
Nathaniel Clyne on the edge of the box.
Mata took it, cleverly cutting a pass back to the 18-yard line
where an onrushing Blind was unmarked. The centre-back
took full advantage of the space, curling a sumptuous 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 before the
Spain goalkeeper made amends with a sprawling stop to
divert Danny Ings' bouncing effort away from goal after a
free-kick had deflected into the 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 seemingly ended,
though, when United won a penalty. Michael Carrick fed
Herrera , who was felled by a Joe Gomez challenge in the
box. The midfielder stepped up to take the resulting spot-
kick himself and smashed his effort into the roof of 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 before De Gea was 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 deflected into his path.
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 .
