Manchester United came out flying on Sunday, delivering one of their most complete first half performances of the season against their fierce rivals. Matheus Cunha, back from injury, drew first blood in just the 6th minute, striking home after his initial shot was blocked, passing the ball past Woodman into the bottom corner. Old Trafford was already rocking. Then, Benjamin Sesko doubled the lead on 14 minutes, tapping the ball in after Freddie Woodman tipped the ball to Sesko at Bruno Fernandes cross. Remarkably, it was the earliest United had ever gone 2–0 up against Liverpool in Premier League history. Dominant, clinical, and utterly in control, United fans were dreaming at half-time.
The Second Half Nightmare, Amad and Dalot, What Are You Doing?
Then came the second half. And then came Amad Diallo.
Brought on to replace the injured Sesko at the break, Amad had a chance to prove himself. Instead, just two minutes into the second half, he attempted a loose pass in his own half that was easily intercepted by Dominik Szoboszlai, who needed no second invitation, driving forward, dancing his way through the United defense and finishing calmly past Lammens. Gift wrapped, Thank you i’ll take that.
As a United fan, it was painful to watch. Amad has shown flashes of brilliance before but this kind of carelessness at the highest level is becoming a habit. He is turning into Garnacho 2.0, all potential, zero consistency when it matters. Carrick needs to have a serious conversation with him.
And while we are handing out blame, Diogo Dalot was equally awful on the day. Szoboszlai’s goal did not just happen by chance, the Hungarian drove straight through Dalot’s legs like he was not even there. A professional defender, at Old Trafford, in a derby, getting nutmegged for a goal. Unacceptable. It’s still a surprise how on earth is he starting a game for Manchester United, that player is not made for the club, he can never defend even if his life depended on it, can’t cross and he thinks he is Carlos taking long shots while the idiot can’t even score a simple tap in!
And it baffles me to see some supposed “fans” actually defend him, are you watching the game or just looking at the final scoreline and say “Oh we won since dalot started so we have to start him he is our messiah we start Mazroui so we lost so no he deserves to be sold get him out!!!” and defend Amorim always starting dalot because they were related. Dalot has been horrible player for us always and yesterday was one of his worst performances in a United shirt. A fullback for Manchester United is supposed to be one of our more experienced heads, and that kind of defensive lapse is simply not good enough. Carrick has some serious decisions to make at right back this summer.
Then came goal number two for Liverpool. Lammens gave the ball away sloppily and Gakpo pounced, making no mistake to equalise at 2–2. To be fair to our keeper, it was his first real error since joining the club and he has been our best player between the sticks for a long time, so no need to panic there. But what a moment to make it.
United, who had appeared to be cruising, now found themselves under immense pressure with the Stretford End suddenly very quiet.
Mainoo Saves the Day, Bruno’s 20th Assist Waits for Another Game
But this United side under Michael Carrick does not fold. Not anymore.
In the 77th minute, Luke Shaw delivered a cross, Mac Allister could only clear to the edge of the box, and Kobbie Mainoo charged onto it, firing a beauty into the bottom left corner. Old Trafford erupted. What a player. What a moment. Can you believe he was benched by Amorim? He almost left! yet, yet there are some “fans’ out there still defending Amorim.
A small injustice on the day though. Bruno Fernandes deserved his 20th Premier League assist on Sesko’s goal. United captain Fernandes wanted that to be his 20th assist of the campaign, which would have equalled Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s record, but the touch from Woodman stripped that away and Sesko unable to convert the pass, Mbuemo’s flick which was deemed offside, and Casemiro’s header straight to the man between the posts.
What This Means for Manchester United?
Victory confirmed Manchester United’s return to the Champions League next season and a league double over Liverpool for the first time since 2015–16. Michael Carrick, who was handed the role in January, has now led the club to statement wins against Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool. Although one can be sceptic how much can he impact as permanent manager as we have seen some sloppy outcomes as well.
This game had a perfect first half, a heart attack second half, and a moment of Mainoo magic to seal it. That is Manchester United. That is why we watch.
Full Time: Manchester United 3, Liverpool 2