As far as Footballing rivalries go, none get bigger than Manchester United vs Liverpool. After playing a stalemate in the Premier League one week ago, the two teams faced each other in the FA Cup (4th Round). United welcomed Liverpool to Old Trafford.
It truly was a roller-coaster of a match and Manchester United went on to win 3-2. Thanks to goals from Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, and a sublime Bruno Fernandes free-kick.
Here are the 5 things we learnt:
A Goal-Fest!
After a boring 0-0 draw last week (17th January ’21), both the teams were expected to rise to the occasion. The managers sent out decent teams and played to win. It was end-to-end action with fans being kept at the edge of their seats. And there were some exquisite goals scored today.
Academy boys steal the show
Imagine you’re a young footballer in the Manchester United academy. You grow up learning from the best, yes, but you also inherit rivalries.
When Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford stepped out to play today, they wanted to bring glory to this club, to the young footballers who are currently listening to the stories about when United knocked Liverpool off their perch.
And they delivered. Greenwood controlled an excellent ball from Rashford before slotting it home and became the youngest United player (19 years and 115 days) to score against Liverpool since Wayne Rooney in 2005 (19 years and 83 days).
Then Mason sent Marcus through on goal with a pin-point through-ball who made no mistake and scored past Allison. Taking his goal tally to 15 in this campaign.
Luke Shaw and Bruno Fernandes continue their top form for Manchester United
In the recent run of games, Luke Shaw has improved tremendously. Once criticized a lot for his form, it’s safe to say he hs managed to turn it around quite well. Especially since the arrival of Alex Telles to Manchester United, Shaw has been growing in confidence and playing like a World-Class LB.
Was he at fault today for Salah’s first goal? Maybe, but he more than made up for it with his exceptional performance throughout the match. His numbers in today’s match:
- 100% tackles won
- 83% pass accuracy
- 6 crosses attempted
- 3 crosses completed
- 3 chances created
- 1 clearance
- 1 block
What more can be said about our Portuguese Magnifico that has already not been said? He made an instant impact today as well. Bruno came on in the second-half to Replace Donny Van De Beek and slotted home a beautiful free-kick to take United into the 5th round of the FA Cup.
Goals and assists in all competitions since Bruno Fernandes made his Manchester United debut:
- Fernandes – 47
- Ronaldo – 44
- Kane – 40
- Kevin De Bruyne – 33
- Salah – 32
Ole and Manchester United could go all the way
Ole has been under criticism from the time he took the reins permanently. Is the process finally working out?
He has certainly man-managed brilliantly. Paul Pogba who was not performing up to his capabilities is playing like a rejuvenated player. Harry Maguire has turned a new leaf and is en-route to becoming a CB United would be proud of. And Luke Shaw probably is in the form of his life. We could go on … Ole deserves a lot of praise here.
Manchester United are at the top of the premier league for the first time in the post-Ferguson era. They just progressed to the FA Cup 5th round. Apart from the Champions League loss against RB Leipzig which came 13 matches ago, United looks rock solid and ready to compete for the Premier League trophy and the FA Cup.
Cheap tricks and a potential Red Card?
Robertson was shouting at Mason Greenwood to try and put him off before Mason went on to score for United. You usually witness these tactics in a Sunday League match but hey, anything to try and stop the opposition scoring, right?
In the second half Mane went studs first into Fred. The referee awarded a yellow-card to Mane. But in retrospect, it does look like it deserved more than a yellow card. Something VAR should have picked up? As per the rule – The VAR will also check for possible red-card incidents for which the on-field referee has awarded a yellow card or no card at all.
But when you play against LiVARpool, these things happen.
Manchester United’s next opponent?
United will now welcome West Ham United to Old Trafford in the FA Cup (5th round). The clubs have previously met 12 times in the FA Cup. With the Red Devils claiming five wins to West Ham’s four, with three draws.
The Hammers will travel to the Theatre of Dreams for a game on either 9, 10, or 11 February. The details about the exact date and kick-off time to come out soon.
