Anthony Martial scores debut stunner as Manchester United beat Liverpool

Anthony Martial scored a sensational goal on his debut as Manchester United beat Liverpool 3-1 at Old Trafford.

The £58m deadline day signing glided inside from the left, rode a Liverpool tackle and placed the ball into the far corner to give United a two-goal cushion on 86 minutes.

It was a goal strongly reminiscent of Thierry Henry, with whom the teenage Martial has been compared. But any pressure did not show as he came off the bench to make a magnificent contribution.

The goal came just two minutes after an equally brilliant strike by Liverpool's Christian Benteke, who powered a bicycle kick into the top-right corner past David De Gea - the United goalkeeper had received a rousing ovation after signing a new contract.

After a dreadful first half, the game burst into life after the break. First Daley Blind fired into the top corner from a well-worked United set piece, then Ander Herrera converted a penalty he won himself after a foul by Joe Gomez.

Benteke's wonderful volley briefly gave Liverpool hope, but Martial extinguished it with a memorable opening contribution to English football.

48’ GOAL! Blind slots a beauty of a shot into the top corner. He was picked out in acres of space on the edge of the box by Mata's free-kick, which will infuriate Rodgers. But credit to the Dutchman for his impressive finish.

65’ The most expensive teenager in the history of football is on the pitch. Martial replaces Mata.

64’ Off the line! Blind clears a goal-bound effort and the recovers quickly to stop Firmino turning home the rebound.

69’ Penalty to United! Gomez slides in and brings down Herrera inside the area. The Spaniard was going nowhere – that was a needless challenge from the youngster.

70’ GOAL! Herrera dusts himself down and takes the spot-kick himself, hammering it into the roof of the net. 2-0 United.

83’ GOAL! Benteke watches a high ball all the way on to his right foot as he unleashes a brilliant scissor-kick volley from inside a crowded penalty area to bring Liverpool back into this. That was truly exceptional from the Belgian!

84’ GOAL! Martial produces a moment of magic on his debut! Cutting inside from the left, he jinks between Skrtel and Clyne before curling a lovely finish into the far corner. Worth every penny! 3-1.

Anthony Martial scored with his first ever shot in the Premier League.

There was 1m 56s between Benteke’s goal and Martial’s in this match.

Christian Benteke has scored in his last three Premier League appearances against Manchester United, but has lost two and drawn one of these three games.

Daley Blind (Manchester United): Martial will steal all the headlines, but it was Blind who got the ball rolling with a terrific finish from the edge of the box. And it wasn’t just in attack where the Dutch defender excelled. He dealt well with the joint threat of Christian Benteke and Danny Ings – even out-muscling Benteke on one occasion – and produced a terrific double goal-line clearance to keep United ahead when the score was 1-0.

What a way to introduce yourself! The price-tag could have weighed heavily on Martial’s shoulders, but his terrific run and sumptuous finish was the perfect riposte to his critics. Will he end up being worth such a huge transfer fee? Who knows. But to start with a goal like that on debut against Liverpool is what dreams are made of.

Manchester United: De Gea 7, Darmian 7, Smalling 8, Blind 9, Shaw 7, Carrick 8, Schweinsteiger 8, Mata 7, Herrera 8, Depay 7, Fellaini 6 Subs: Young 6, Martial 9, Schneiderlin 7

Liverpool: Mignolet 6, Clyne 7, Skrtel 6, Lovren 6, Gomez 5, Leiva 5, Can 6, Milner 6, Firmino 5, Benteke 8, Ings 6 Subs: Ibe 5, Origi 5