Manchester United vs Liverpool Summary
Manchester United lost back-to-back home games for the first time since the opening three games following their 4-2 defeat to Liverpool. While this game is a bitter one to take against our rivals it means very little for United’s season. United remain second and will guarantee their spot there with a win over either Fulham or Wolves next week and then have a huge game in Gdansk in the Europa League Final against Villarreal who have tough games ahead of them against Sevilla and Real Madrid as they look to fight for European football next season.
I think the biggest worry for Ole will of course be Harry Maguire. Without him United look scarily open, the defence has no leader and it’s clear the impact he has on the players around him too. It’s a real shame it has taken this injury for some people to see how important he is for us.
Manchester United vs Liverpool Player Ratings
Dean Henderson 4/10
Made some big saves but two big errors for the third and fourth goals and flapped at the cross for the equaliser too. Not his best game but by no means does that write him off. He has been excellent and it seems many were waiting for a game like this to deem him a failure. That is not the case. He will bounce back because there is competition waiting in the wings.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 7.5/10
His first half was excellent and stopped a lot of chances with those trademark tackles. Bagged another assist. Unfortunate to be on the losing side.
Eric Bailly 5/10
Rash in a challenge that could have given away a penalty. At the time I thought it was a stonewall but because there is no space for his legs to follow through to it was really a 50/50. Gave the ball away a lot as well.
Victor Lindelof 5/10
Some decent passing but equally shocking in giving the ball away too. Both he and Bailly look totally different when not partnered with Maguire. Makes you think, eh?
Luke Shaw 5/10
His worst game since the opening weeks of the season. Gave the ball away loads of times, including for the third goal and did look a touch fatigued. His crossing was not on the money either but he is allowed a small dip in form after such levels of consistency this season.
Fred 1/10
Oh dear. I like Fred as a player and think he is an important squad player for us but these games against teams that press high are his kryptonite. He struggles to play possession football and against teams that do press him, he gifts them chances. This goes down as one of the biggest reasons why United need a new midfielder.
Scott McTominay 4/10
Easily could have been sent off on a different day but his passing was horribly inconsistent. Didn’t look comfortable alongside Pogba either and is still in need of another defensive midfielder alongside him. Will be an important squad player next season no doubt but United need another midfielder option that can do more.
Marcus Rashford 7/10
Took his goal well and was FAR more lively on the left hand side than on the right. Still looks uncomfortable and I would rest him against Wolves and Fulham so he is ready for Gdansk.
Bruno Fernandes 6.5/10
A bit lucky but great movement for the goal. Was marshalled well by Fabinho throughout however. 28 goals this season is ridiculous and to couple it with 17 assists is astounding.
Paul Pogba 4/10
Poor defensively but great going forward. He gave the ball away in bad areas and the second goal was calamatious. Not his day but by far not the worst player on the pitch.
Edinson Cavani 5/10
Quiet game. Didn’t really test the young defensive partnership of Phillips and Williams. Good assist late on but could have buried a chance at 0-0. What could have been.
Substitutes:
Mason Greenwood 6/10
Immediately livened up the game and very unlucky not to score.
Nemanja Matic 4/10
I understand it was a forced substitution but he was bad and gave the ball away for the sealer from Salah.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 5/10
Not much he could do about the initial team selection against Liverpool as most the players picked themselves but I think he waited too long with Fred’s withdrawal and it could have been done at half time. I do understand why he left him on but it just didn’t pay off. Not much else he could do. Individual errors and not many game changers on the bench. Kudos for openly saying he needs reinforcements in the summer. It is becoming clearer where the additions are needed and I’m not talking about Tom Heaton…
