Another three points secured for the Red Devils with their third win in a row. The Reds started fast and furious, securing two goals within the first 20 minutes.
Matheus Cunha, back from injury, struck gold to open the scoring after United was cleared away. With two bites at the cherry, the second shot from Cunha took a knock off Alexis Mac Allister's backside and found its way into the bottom corner.
With early pressing and pressure on Liverpool's stand-in goalkeeper, Freddie Woodman, United looked to batter the visitors down the wing and put crosses in quickly and often.
The second goal was a clear showing of this as Luke Shaw on the wing put in a ball to the United Captain, Bruno Fernandes. Man United, who headed the ball back across the goal and into the path of Benjamin Sesko, who was able to get a touch of his body onto it and past the keeper.
With a healthy goal lead, the first half ended. With the second starting, Amad Diallo came on for Sesko. With Amad wanting to be a good change for the team, this unfortunately led to calamity as he gave the ball away, allowing Liverpool to get a goal back courtesy of Dominik Szoboszlai and turning the tide.
The seas did indeed turn red as Liverpool soon equalised through a rare Senne Lammens error. A misplaced pass allowed Liverpool to quickly link up and put the equaliser into the back of the net through Cody Gakpo.
With the wind seemingly ripped out, Manchester United's sails, nerves were starting to show. The shape that kept the clean sheet in the first half was misformed, and the care the team showed seemed to be less than.
However, through grit and grind, the Red garrison made great efforts to get that winning goal.
It came in the shape of the young and magical Kobbie Mainoo. With the ball put across again by Luke Shaw and Liverpool making a poor effort to clear their lines, the bold number 37 grabbed the game by its scruff and sprinted at the loose ball. With a side-footed effort, Kobbie placed the ball far from the keeper's reach and into the bottom corner.
Mainoo seals it for United at Old Trafford
Glory for United in The North West Derby and joy for European placement.
Player ratings: Man United vs Liverpool
- Senne Lammens 5.5- Usually the rock to break the attacking waves, but that evening was underwhelming. The early passing was controlled and confident. But overconfidence was his downfall. That misplaced pass dropped his rating and his standing with fans.
- Diogo Dalot 6.5- Good when defending at the back post. Although his forward play has been seriously lacking as of late. Misplaced passing and just being a bit too defensive to positive moves.
- Harry Maguire 7- Really good to see Harry in the backline. Putting his body on the line and making those hard tackles when needed
- Ayden Heaven 7- Paired very well with Maguire, like a wine to a heart meal. Heaven is growing and has been shining all over the pitch.
- Luke Shaw 7.5- Truly proving that on his day, he is a brilliant player going up and down the pitch. An established player and instrumental in both of United's last couple of goals
- Casemiro 7.5- His experience is referred to often for a reason. He will be greatly missed. His collaboration with Kobbie is truly starting to establish itself, and you can see the trust they have in one another. Hard tackles, aerial presence. True majesty on the pitch
- Kobbie Mainoo 8.5- It honestly boggles the mind that a certain manager did not think he was worth playing. He shows time and time again why he is. Doing it again against Liverpool to get the winner. He is magic for a reason. What he can pull off is truly a marvel to see.
- Bryan Mbeumo 7.5- Great awareness and link-ups with Dalot on the rights side. He was used early and often in the first half. Versatile enough to then take the striker role after a few changes.
- Bruno Fernandes 8- 'El Magnifico' for a reason. He stepped up and dragged United through pure leadership and skill until he was taken off.
- Matheus Cunha 8- A goal after injury. Time away means nothing to Cunha. He is willing and able to be that edge United need, the grease to get the cogs turning and for goals to start flowing.
- Benjamin Sesko 7.5- Say what you want about the goal, but the records will always reflect the number. His intent at goal is growing rapidly, and his adjustment to his supporting cast with their passes and crosses is slowly starting to click. Millimetres away from the ball, usually, but in the right place often.
Substitutes
- Amad Diallo 5.5- A bit disappointing to be honest. Silly mistakes for someone who was brought on to be a difference and ride the waves to help when an injury occurs. Good pressing as usual, but small mistakes can become very costly.
- Patrick Dorgu 6- Great to see him back on the pitch. A lot of energy was shown. His footballing mind needs some fine-tuning. But with his return, that will come in time.
- Joshua Zirkzee- N/A
- Leny Yoro-N/A
