Despite having one less pre-season game than Erik ten Hag's United, Arne Slot's Liverpool dominated the match at Columbia's Williams-Brice Stadium, cheered on by a full house of 77,559 spectators.
Here are five key takeaways from the final US tour games for both teams, who flew back home immediately after the match to prepare for the upcoming Premier League season.
United's defence was found wanting, with the injury to £59 million signing Leny Yoro in the tour opener against Arsenal leaving them short of options. This forced Ten Hag to rest Harry Maguire as a precautionary measure for the Liverpool match.
With Yoro sidelined for three months, Ten Hag is left with just three centre-backs - Maguire, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof, making it crucial to avoid further injuries.
Liverpool quickly took a 2-0 lead by half-time, with United's lax defence aiding their arch-rivals in scoring both goals. The situation isn't helped by the fact that two of Ten Hag's makeshift back four Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are likely to be sold for the right price, while 17-year-old left-back Harry Amass, who was playing due to the absence of Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot, faced a tough challenge against Mo Salah.
This performance highlighted why Ten Hag is keen on making two more defensive signings before the transfer window closes. Lisandro Martinez will return to training this week, along with Shaw, but United need to secure another defender before the window shuts.
Rashford appears ready for the new season.
Following last season's issues both on and off the pitch, which resulted in him scoring just eight goals and missing out on a spot in England's Euro 2024 squad, there is a lot of anticipation surrounding Marcus Rashford ahead of the new season. After Ten Hag urged Rashford to maintain his focus both on and off the field, Rashford responded positively, delivering impressive performances during the tour, including an effective display against Liverpool, following an assist against Arsenal and a goal and an assist against Betis.
Rashford, after leaving Jarell Quansah and Harvey Elliott in his wake, missed an angled shot. This season, Rashford is expected to perform significantly better than last term, and his lively first-half performance suggests he's ready to start strong.
The Mason Mount conundrum
Mason Mount, another player looking to make a statement this season following a difficult first year at United, showed signs of returning to form. After his £60 million transfer from Chelsea, Mount's debut season was marred by injuries and inconsistent performances.
Like Rashford, he didn't make England's squad for Euro 2024.
Mount, similar to Rashford, was active on the field, finding dangerous positions with smart movement and creating opportunities, though none resulted in goals. He had a straight shot at Caoimhin Kelleher early in the game, then ran onto a clever pass from Casemiro, but was once again stopped by the Liverpool goalkeeper.
Mount later delivered a great cross to Jadon Sancho, who should have aimed his header on target.
Elliott emphasizes significance.
Following his instrumental role in Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Arsenal in Philadelphia , where he provided both assists, Harvey Elliott has been lauded by new head coach Slot. The Anfield boss would have been particularly impressed with Elliott's lively and inventive performance against United, with the attacking midfielder central to his team's expansive play against their fierce rivals.
Elliott, who was given the freedom to roam from his No. 10 position, was arguably Liverpool's most dynamic and creative player on the pitch.
This suggests that he could become a key figure in Slot's new team, a status he didn't achieve under Jurgen Klopp. Last season saw Elliott start just 11 Premier League games, but based on this influential 65-minute display, it's likely the 21-year-old will surpass that number this season.
Man United's firepower
United, meanwhile, need to find a way to increase their goal tally. Last season saw them finish in their lowest-ever Premier League position of eighth, with a paltry 57 goals making them the joint lowest scorers in the top 10.
A hamstring injury to Rasmus Hojlund, sustained after scoring early against Arsenal in LA, has sidelined the striker for at least six weeks. This leaves Ten Hag with a significant problem regarding who will lead the line and where the goals will come from.
Jadon Sancho, who played as a false nine against Betis and Liverpool, didn't quite convince in that position. Meanwhile, Rashford prefers to start on the left and move inside.
Joshua Zirkzee, United's new signing from Bologna for £36.5m, did not join the team on their tour, instead staying in Manchester to kick off his pre-season, making him somewhat of an enigma.
Given this situation, it's hard to see who will be scoring the goals for United, especially with Hojlund's enforced absence. This raises the question of whether United needs another striker as much as they need another defender.
However, their transfer budget which has been tightened to comply with profit and sustainability rules may not cover both, unless significant funds can be raised through player sales.
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