Manchester United seal Champions League return as Mainoo ends Liverpool comeback

On 75 minutes up stepped Kobbie Mainoo with the coolest of winners before the Stretford End to cause bedlam among home fans and wrest the bragging rights Manchester United’s way. After a raid down the left Alexis Mac Allister’s weak clearance rolled to the midfielder who beat Dominik Szoboszlai to punch home a finish that bested Freddie Woodman to the Liverpool goalkeeper’s right. Continue reading... On 75 minutes up stepped Kobbie Mainoo with the coolest of winners before the Stretford End to cause bedlam among home fans and wrest the bragging rights Manchester United’s way. After a raid down the left Alexis Mac Allister’s weak clearance rolled to the midfielder who beat Dominik Szoboszlai to punch home a finish that bested Freddie Woodman to the Liverpool goalkeeper’s right.

Each derived from errant United passes, from Amad Diallo for Szoboszlai’s, Senne Lammens’ for Gakpo’s equaliser. United were as lively as against Brentford on Monday at the start, launching several raids down the right. This time, with his left boot, the shot caromed off Mac Allister and beat Woodman to the keeper’s left and home celebrations broke out. Soon, there were more as United’s thrust shredded Liverpool. This time Luke Shaw, from the left, popped the ball over for the ever-threatening Fernandes.

Liverpool were unable to breach United territory. Liverpool’s issue was allowing too much of this to United. Liverpool were ragged. They were aided by Darren England whose eyes seemed awry, as the referee missed “fouls” by Szoboszlai, then Mac Allister when he pulled Mbeumo down. Then, in the period’s added time, Fernandes floated a corner over from the left: it amounted to nothing, unlike the 45 minutes, generally, for United.

Near the centre circle the winger spilt the ball to Szoboszlai. This was superb from Szoboszlai, calamitous from Diallo and Maguire. It featured Casemiro spiralling ball in, Fernandes killing this, along the right, then pinging across, and Mbuemo’s backheel defeating Woodman, only the right post saving Liverpool. Aiming for Casemiro he found Mac Allister lurking. Example: Szoboszlai swung in a free-kick, United’s rearguard slumbered and Lammens stabbed the ball off the line.

Now, though, came Mainoo’s clincher and United remain headed for a finish of third. Explore more on these topics Share Reuse this content On 75 minutes up stepped Kobbie Mainoo with the coolest of winners before the Stretford End to cause bedlam among home fans and wrest the bragging rights Manchester United’s way. After a raid down the left Alexis Mac Allister’s weak clearance rolled to the midfielder who beat Dominik Szoboszlai to punch home a finish that bested Freddie Woodman to the Liverpool goalkeeper’s right. Continue reading... Manchester United seal Champions League return as Mainoo ends Liverpool comeback