Man United denied morale-boosting victory after late Liverpool goal
MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United were denied a morale-boasting victory by a late Liverpool equaliser as the visitors’ winning run came to an end with a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford‘s first-half goal had looked like giving United their first league win for more than a month only for substitute Adam Lallana to score five minutes from time.
Victory for Jurgen’s Klopp’s side would have matched Manchester City’s record 18 consecutive top-flight victories but instead dropped points for the first time this season as their lead at the top of the table was cut to six after Manchester City’s win at Crystal Palace 24 hours earlier.
A draw means it is officially United’s worst start to a season since 1986 — when Alex Ferguson replaced Ron Atkinson — but it will feel like far more than that for United, who eased the pressure on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
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Rashford has a knack of scoring against the big six and he did it again. It’s not a United team that creates a lot of chances so it’s important he takes the ones he gets.
It was a well-timed run to get in between Liverpool’s centre-backs and get on the end of Daniel James‘ whipped cross from the right as United broke quickly. It wasn’t the cleanest finish but he won’t care as he got his first goal from open play since the opening day against Chelsea.
Axel Tuanzebe was named in Solskjaer’s original team but was forced out after suffering up a hip strain in the warm up.
Injuries have been a key reason behind United’s poor start and Tuanzebe is the latest to pick up a muscle problem.
The squad is thin, particularly in midfield and up front, and Solskjaer cannot afford to have players on the treatment table. They have had a lot of muscle injuries since the Norwegian took over and he needs to get to the bottom of it quickly.
8 — It was bold of Solskjaer to start with a back three in such a big game but it paid off.
Wing-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Ashley Young put pressure on Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold while in the first half Andreas Pereira stopped Fabinho getting the space to dictate the flow of the game.
Fabinho had more joy in the second half but the change in system still seemed to give Klopp problems.
GK David De Gea, 6 — Declared himself fit after suffering a groin injury on international duty. Might have expected to have a busier day.
DF Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 7 — Back after missing three games. Stopped Andy Robertson getting forward but wasn’t close enough when the Liverpool full-back crossed for the equaliser.
DF Ashley Young, 7 — Gave Alexander-Arnold a tough afternoon down Liverpool’s right but will be disappointed Lallana ghosted past him to score a late equaliser.
DF Harry Maguire, 7 — Passing was not as accurate as it can be but he won a lot in the air. Played through the final 20 minutes with a knock to his right hip.
DF Victor Lindelof, 6 — Involved in the goal with a contentious challenge on Divock Origi. Lucky that VAR ruled out Sadio Mane‘s goal after getting the wrong side of the Liverpool forward.
DF Marcos Rojo, 7 — In the team after Tuanzebe picked up an injury in the warm up. Barely gave the Mane a kick in the first half but got dragged away for Lallana’s goal.
MF Scott McTominay, 7 — Had one burst past Origi in the first half to force a save out of Alisson with a shot from 20 yards.
MF Fred, 6 — Battled away but was guilty of giving the ball away too often. Curled a shot wide of the far post that had Alisson scrambling.
MF Andreas Pereira, 8 — Played a key role in the first half by keeping Fabinho off the ball. Lots of bite and loads of energy. One of his best games for United.
FW Daniel James, 8 — Playing as a forward with Rashford, he had been quiet before racing away down the right and swinging in a fantastic cross for his strike partner to score the opener.
FW Marcus Rashford, 8 — Pace and movement caused Liverpool’s defence a lot of problems and capped his performance with a goal.
FW Anthony Martial (for Marcus Rashford, 83) — N/A
DF Brandon Williams (for Andreas Pereira, 93) – N/A