Manchester United held Liverpool to a draw and salvaged pride after last season’s horrific defeat.
Memories of last season’s 7-0 loss to Liverpool are still painful and will remain so. And while the team has still yet to score at Anfield since 2018, this was a performance to restore some pride for Erik ten Hag‘s men.
Manchester United held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw, earning a point, which have been hard to come by away from home.
United did so with a really solid mistake-free defensive performance, and could have won it if they had been more ruthless in attack.
David May praises Manchester United trio
Manchester United were good value for the point, and there is lots of praise to go around.
Former Red Devils defender David May picked out three players at the final whistle, telling MUTV’s radio commentary he was impressed with two defenders and a midfielder.
May said: “Varane absolutely outstanding. Evans outstanding. Mainoo a young kid in midfield, he was fantastic.
“Fair play to the lads. United have defended like trojans and deserved something from the game. Overall, the manager will be delighted with that but perhaps disappointed we didn’t actually win the game as we had some chances in the second half.
“There were some really top performances and it’s something to build on. It’s a really professional performance and it had to be. Raphael Varane was like a magnet to that ball.”
United’s entire back four were excellent, but Varane and Evans really do deserve credit, coming into the game as the club’s ninth different defensive partnership of the season.
Wes Brown backs United defenders
Former Red Devils ace Wes Brown told MUTV at full-time: “Varane and Evans cleared pretty much everything that came in the box.
“We kept their front three very quiet. We kept going and we had a couple of opportunities to nick it as well.”
Mainoo did so well
Kobbie Mainoo was exceptional in midfield, creating a fantastic chance for Alejandro Garnacho in the second half with a defence splitting pass.
The 18-year-old was booked in the first half too, which made his composed performance after that even more impressive.
Erik ten Hag showed real trust in him to throw him into the game as a starter, and Mainoo showed his manager that it was the right decision.
Dublin on United’s result
Dion Dublin told BBC Sport that the draw was a good result for Manchester United in the context of this season and last season’s result.
He said: “You’ve got to realise where you are and what you’re playing. I believe that most Man Utd fans will take this, just not for the whole season because it was pretty negative.
“To come here and get this is very good. They have to accept that is where they are at the moment.
“It’s got them what they needed. They were set up perfectly to get a point away at one of the hardest paces in the world to get a point.”
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