It was always going to be a massive risk, but it was a risk that paid off. Manchester United's best performance of the season came thanks to gambles all across the pitch, with Erik ten Hag not afraid to drop anyone for the match against Liverpool, regardless of their reputation or stature.
Under former managers, United would have gone for the risk-adverse Fred and Scott McTominay axis in midfield, one that has been tried and tested in recent years. There would have been no problem if they had done that on Monday night either. Sure, 'McFred' isn't a long-term fix, but as much as they are restrictive in what they give, they also give a pretty reliable output of movement and mobility.
Yet, instead of playing the percentages, the Dutchman went big, perhaps a risk he wouldn't have deemed necessary had United not lost their first two matches of the season. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and that is what they got.
