Roy Keane praises Man Utd player’s ‘very smart’ attempt to unnerve Liverpool

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Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has admitted wanting to ‘mix it up’ by making Liverpool attack The Kop in the first half of Sunday’s clash.

Many were predicting United to lose at Anfield on Sunday afternoon having entered the game off the back of two defeats.

Add in last season’s 7-0 thrashing at Liverpool and few were holding out much hope for United against Jurgen Klopp’s side.

United dug in though and frustrated Liverpool, securing a 0-0 draw despite facing more than 30 attempts on goal.

Rasmus Hojlund even had a chance to win it for United but Erik ten Hag will be pleased with a point and a battling defensive performance.

Scott McTominay comments on Anfield coin toss

Liverpool had a strong start but seemed a little flat in parts with the atmosphere not quite as vociferous as many expected.

There are certain theories as to why that was the case, and one of them surrounds the pre-match coin toss.

Scott McTominay – captain for the day with Bruno Fernandes out – won the coin toss and decided to make Liverpool attack The Kop in the first half.

Liverpool are accustomed to attacking that end in the second half, building major second-half pressure and setting up some big finishes.

McTominay ruled out that prospect and made Liverpool attack The Kop in the first half instead, meaning Klopp’s men had to attack towards the split of Liverpool and Manchester United fans in the second half.

That should not be a big factor but McTominay clearly felt that it could throw Liverpool off a little.

Asked by Sky Sports about the coin toss, McTominay suggested that he wanted to ‘mix it up’ and possibly disrupt Liverpool’s usual approach.

“Yeah, mix it up a bit,” said McTominay. “Mix it up a bit and see what they’re like at the start of the game,” he added.

Roy Keane a fan of McTominay decision in Manchester United draw

That decision seemed to work well and Roy Keane was a fan.

Keane told Sky Sports that McTominay made a ‘smart’ decision by making Liverpool attack The Kop in the first half and conducted himself well as captain.

“He done well and I think he had a good start by winning the toss, I think that was a good move, very smart out of him,” said Keane.

McTominay will have been very aware of how Liverpool love to build momentum in front of The Kop in the second half.

Just look at last season’s 7-0 defeat; it was 1-0 at half-time before Liverpool racked up six shooting towards The Kop.

McTominay just wanted to see if a switch of ends would unnerve Liverpool and it seemingly worked, with the Scot earning praise from one of United’s greatest-ever captains in the process.