Liverpool turns the tables on Manchester United with a 3-0 thrashing at Old Trafford; USMNT turns the tables
Happy Labor Day! The weekend’s entertaining games provided the perfect sendoff to the international holiday, which officially begins today as the national teams gather for some noteworthy matches. I’m Pardeep Kattari, the latest person to kick off the week.
📺 Footy Fix
All times US/Eastern
Monday, September 2
🏴 League Two: Salford City vs MK Dons, 3pm ➡️ Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network
🏆 U-20 WWC: Japan vs. New Zealand, 9 p.m. ➡️ FS2
Tuesday, September 3
🏆 U-20 WWC: Mexico vs. Australia, 6 PM ➡️ FS2
🏆 U-20 WWC: Fiji vs. Canada, 9 p.m. ➡️ FS2
⚽ Forward Line
🔴 Liverpool beat Manchester United at Old Trafford
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Arne Slot recorded his first win as Liverpool manager on Sunday, leading his side to a 3-0 victory over Manchester United that offered a reminder of the Reds’ excellence, as well as United’s ongoing struggles under Erik ten Hag.
Liverpool looked the better team from start to finish, with Mohamed Salah assisting Luis Diaz’s two first-half goals as the visitors began to put the game out of reach. Salah then scored in the 56th minute, his ninth goal in 10 games at Old Trafford. It was a fairly efficient performance in terms of goals for the Reds, who outshot United 11 to eight but managed just three shots on target and had 1.65 expected goals against their opponent’s 1.27. Liverpool made the most of their chances, although they lost out marginally in the battle for possession, adding a new level of intensity to the calming influence Slott has shown in his first two games in England.
However, the Reds’ strengths directly exposed United’s weaknesses. Liverpool had some problems penetrating the opposition midfield, while the Red Devils’ attack again looked inconsistent. It was a stark contrast to the enthusiasm of Manuel Ugarte’s transfer deadline day arrival and his pre-match presentation on the pitch, and Jonathan Johnson writes that the game was a reminder that the defensive midfielder has a big job ahead at Old Trafford.
- Johnson: ,[Casemiro] The former Real Madrid man was blamed for both of Diaz’s goals, playing like a nervous rookie and making basic mistakes which were mercifully finished off by Erik ten Hag after one half, the latest example of how the 32-year-old’s alarming decline in form is far from over. [Kobbie] England international Manu’s mistake was perhaps more forgivable given his young age, as well as the fact that he has already shown he is capable of better, but it was still disappointing and will have taught Ugarte a lot about his new midfield partners.
Ugarte alone will not solve United’s problems, which are akin to the chaos of last season, when they suffered two defeats in the opening three games of the campaign. Ten Hag admitted in his post-match press conference that he is no Harry Potter, but after another big signing, it is remarkable how quickly the mood has turned sour on the red side of Manchester – and Ten Hag has already come to terms with the fact that it couldn’t be better.
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🔗 Midfield Link Play
🇺🇸 USMNT focuses on youth as wait for Pochettino continues
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The U.S. men’s national team may not have a new head coach yet, but the team plans to turn the page on this summer’s Copa America disaster by returning for two friendlies against Canada and New Zealand this month.
Interim head coach Miky Varas has announced a 24-player squad that includes 18 members of the Copa America squad but also some new faces. Take a look at the full squad.
- Goalkeeper: Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City/WAL), Diego Cochrane (FC Barcelona II), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/England)
- guard: Auston Trusty (Celtic/SCO), Marlon Fossey (Standard Liege/Belgium), Christopher Lund (Palermo/ITA), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/FRA), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/England), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach/Germany), Caleb Wylie (Strasbourg/France)
- Midfielders: Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis/ESP), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo/ESP), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough/ENG), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/NED)
- Forward: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/England), Folarin Balogun (Monaco/France), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/ITA), Josh Sargent (Norwich City/England), Haji Wright (Coventry City/England)
Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte and defender Caleb Wiley moved over from the Under-23 team that reached the quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics, while Aidan Morris, Auston Trusty, Marlon Fossey and Diego Cochrane joined the squad after missing the summer tournament. It suggests that expanding the USMNT’s player pool may be a priority as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup on home soil, and the search for talent may be far and wide. While most have a direct path to the first team, Fossey, 25, is an example of a particularly overlooked option. The Standard Liege defender has experience at the youth level and hasn’t been in a camp since 2019, but could be an option at outside back while Sergino Dest remains sidelined after tearing his ACL in the spring.
It’s unclear what involvement, if any, Mauricio Pochettino will have as the saga over who will hire him as the new USMNT head coach continues. He agreed to take the job last month, but the deal is reportedly still on hold due to Pochettino’s contract with Chelsea — he signed a two-year deal last year but surprisingly walked out in May and is still negotiating some sort of severance package with his former employer.
Varas’ efforts to figure out a player base, much like those undertaken by U.S. women’s national team assistant coach Twila Kilgore prior to Emma Hayes’ arrival in late spring, will undoubtedly be crucial when Pochettino takes charge of the USMNT and the countdown to the 2026 World Cup officially begins.
🔗 Top News
USMNT Roster: The competition to play on the USMNT’s September squad has begun again, especially after a strong weekend for some rising senior national team players.
Last Date for Transfer: It was a busy transfer deadline day for players like Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho, but not so much for Victor Osimhen. Plus, Matt Turner moved to Crystal Palace on loan and Johnny Cardoso was the subject of the strangest deal of the day.
UCL Programmes: The match schedule for the Champions League league stage has been released, including high-stakes matches such as the clash between Manchester City and Inter on matchday one.
Messi’s return: Lionel Messi could return to play for Inter Miami after the international break after being out of action for two months due to an ankle problem.
Streak broken: RB Leipzig defeated Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday to end the team’s 35-match unbeaten run in the Bundesliga.
Contract of Advice: Mohamed Salah has hinted this could be his last season at Liverpool, admitting the club have yet to speak to him about a new contract.
Message sent from England: Erling Haaland scored another hat-trick for Manchester City at the weekend, while Arsenal dropped points after Declan Rice was sent off against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Milan Malaise: AC Milan are winless in three games at the start of the season, and Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez’s indifferent attitude towards new manager Paulo Fonseca has only added to his poor start at the club.
💰 back line
💵 Best Bets
- 2026 World Cup: The champion
Selection: Spain will win the 2026 World Cup (+550) — A new international break means teams have another chance to continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, with the tournament now set to begin in less than two years. Three teams are currently oddsmakers’ favourites to win the World Cup at MetLife Stadium, all with equal odds – Brazil, France and Spain. All three had very different performances in the summer tournament – Brazil crashed out of the Copa America in the quarter-finals, France reached the Euro semi-finals in impressive fashion while Spain won the entire tournament. Each team has the potential to put things right in North America in two years’ time, but Spain seems a clear choice right now, even with plenty of time on the clock.
For more picks, predictions, expert tips and the latest betting news, don’t forget to check out CBSSports.com’s betting home page.
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