Manchester United have qualified for the Champions League next season after beating Liverpool 3-2 on Sunday evening.
Michael Carrick’s side got off to a dream start, with Matheus Cunha scoring in the sixth minute as Manchester United took advantage of the opening exchanges.
Then Benjamin Sesko doubled the advantage over Liverpool as the game looked like it was headed for a thrashing. But the visitors had other plans.
Liverpool struck back twice in the first 11 minutes of the second half to make a game of it.
But it was United who rose to the occasion as Kobbie Mainoo scored a third to re-take the advantage.
United beat Liverpool 3-2 in the end, in what will go down as a Premier League classic.
WHO was Manchester United’s man of the match vs Liverpool?
Winners
Firstly, the winners.
Matheus Cunha: Continued his sensational record of contributing against the big teams this season as his goal saw United claim a 1-0 lead.
Over the course of this season, there has been doubt over Cunha, but his importance for Carrick has been clear in the big games, especially.
He works hard off the ball and steps up with it when needed. One of the first names on the teamsheet right now for United.
Benjamin Sesko: He may have missed the first chance that fell to him, but Sesko got his goal, and it was the ugliest he will score all season.
Bundling it in over the line in a tussle with Virgil van Dijk, it was far from pretty, but it is the kind of goal that makes it clear that he will be a top striker.
11 in the Premier League for his debut season, Sesko is going to explode next season.
Man Utd beat Liverpool 3-2 … Let’s hear your INSTANT REACTION!
Ayden Heaven: Retaining his starting spot for United, the centre-back was again brilliant and looked like the most experienced player in the back-line.
Heaven looked comfortable, and his presence helped United avoid conceding more when Liverpool had their spell dominating the game.
That left-centre-back position is surely his now.
Kobbie Mainoo: It was the game in which Mainoo would have wanted to perform and prove himself after penning a new deal earlier this week.
The first half saw Mainoo dominate Liverpool, while the second saw him struggle with Casemiro’s erratic behaviour.
But he got his goal to make it 3-2, which is something he has been waiting for. Brilliant display again, but he needs a proper partner this summer.
Michael Carrick: In terms of what Carrick was appointed to do, beating Liverpool means it is job done, securing a guaranteed place in the Champions League next season.
It looked ropey at times, with Liverpool coming back into it. But United held strong, and Carrick saw his side respond to find a winner.
This is far from the finished article for United, but it would be shocking if he wasn’t appointed head coach now.
Losers
And the losers.
Senne Lammens: Usually, ‘Mr. Reliable’ for United, Lammens had a moment to forget as his sloppy pass handed Liverpool an equaliser.
Lammens’ face said it all as he reflected on his error, but he held his head high and wasn’t afraid to take the ball again in a similar situation moments later.
Lammens will be fine, unlike when Andre Onana made a mistake, but it wasn’t his best game on Sunday.
Casemiro: The United fans want Casemiro to stay and sign a new contract, but his performance against Liverpool was a reminder of why it’s best he doesn’t.
Without the goals, Casemiro’s performances have steadily been a problem and have led to a massive imbalance within the team.
His lack of ability to track back and erratic flying tackles left United exposed against Liverpool, with Mainoo having to pick up the slack. His farewell tour has been fun, but it’s best that it ends this month.
Amad: Back to the bench against Liverpool, Amad was on at half-time, but Carrick will have wished he wasn’t, as the first goal came through his poor pass.
It’s been a poor season for Amad, and he will be hoping to put it behind him and that next season will be much better.
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