Manchester United picked up their first draw of the league campaign by holding on for a 0-0 draw at Anfield against Liverpool, despite a frankly obscene double yellow care dismissal of Diogo Dalot in injury time.
Jurgen Klopp’s side had been the favourites going into the game with this United team low on confidence and form. Most United fans would have taken the draw and it was thanks to a great defensive performance and Andre Onana making saves in crucial moments that denied the Merseysiders a victory.
Erik Ten Hag decided to go with Kobbie Mainoo and Sofyan Amrabat as the midfield pivot. Scott McTominay who was captaining the side in the absence of Bruno Fernandes was given the attacking midfielder role. Whilst, we would lack creativity and cede a lot of possession, it gave the defence balance and structure with the opportunity to counter on the break. However, the opportunity to attack the opposition was very limited with Rasmus Hojlund deprived of any service from his teammates.
United show their resilience
The opening exchanges of the games saw Liverpool on the front foot looking to score any opportunity. This could have spelled disaster for us as they peppered the United goal with several corners having to be defended. The Reds settled down and killed the game as we approached the halftime whistle.
The opposition came close to scoring in the early stages of the second half with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s effort past the near post much to the relief of the United faithful. Trent then had another opportunity after the ball was given away by Antony and his first-time strike went wide of the goal. A period saw Liverpool taking shots from distance as they tried to force their way past our resolute defence. United could not take advantage of the turnover of possession to mount a successful counterattack.
Andre Onana had to save to efforts from Mohamed Salah with the second of those having some real power on it but was kept out of the goal. A chance did fall to Rasmus Hojlund inside the box to put United ahead but the effort was hit straight against Allison’s torso. Marcus Rashford came on for Garnacho late in the game as we looked to use his pace to get in behind the opposition defence but to no avail.
Andre Onana was called upon again when he denied Ibrahima Konate’s effort during the final fifteen minutes, with a mad scramble inside the box with Evans and Dalot clearing the ball away. United rode out the storm and settled down again as we looked to settle for the draw.
Diogo Dalot was bewilderingly sent off in injury time for two questionable yellow cards as he showed dissent towards the referee after United was denied a clear throw-in as the last touch came off Salah. This made me all the worse by a seemingly much worse show of dissent from Darwin Nunez earlier in the game, which went completely unpunished; the Uruguayan receiving a yellow care only for kicking the ball away after a clear foul on Jonny Evans, but not his sarcastic ‘clapping’ reaction to that booking.
This was United’s first draw of the Premier League season and it has to be looked on as a positive given the way the game had played out. United was not able to capitalise on the break but there a plenty of positives to take from it.
player ratings & motm
Onana – 7. Made a string of crucial saves.
Dalot – 7. A very brave and committed defensive performance. Very unlucky to get sent off by the trigger-happy Michael Oliver.
Varane – 8 & MOTM. A towering defensive performance by the rejuvenated Frenchman. Showed leadership even though he wasn’t United’s capatin.
Jonny Evans – 8. Similar to Varane, the 35-year-old rolled back the years to keep the scousers at bay. Brave and committed defending.
Luke Shaw – 7. Kept Mo Salah mostly at bay, which is no small ask.
Mainoo – 8. Our best midfielder by a mile; looks more and more critical to United’s future with every game he plays.
Amrabat – 6. Wasteful and somewhat slow in possession, receiving an early yellow card. Improved somewhat as the game went on and second half was better.
McTominay – 6. Some good moments, especially playing in Rasmus Hojlund but wasteful on the ball, particularly in the first half. Still doesn’t control the midfield or pull the strings like a United midfielder should.
Antony – 6. Not a day to remember for United going forward but in fairness, Antony worked very hard in defence and played his part in the result.
Garnacho – 5. Had the beating of TAA on some occasions but got pushed around too easily. Worked hard defensively.
Hojlund – 5. Worked hard as always but little-to-no service. Had a huge chance but shot straight down the keeper’s throat – a miss he will remember for some time.
Subs:
Rashford – 5. Offered little going forward.
Mejbri & Pellistri – 5. Helped see the game out in the last ten but offered nothing of note.
Mainoo shines as other midfielders struggle
Kobbie Mainoo has excelled in games he has played for the United’s first team and that was evident against Liverpool. At only 18 years of age, it was going to be a risk bringing in an academy player with not much experience of playing in the Premier League. He got the nod to start at Anfield by Ten Hag which could have potentially cost him his job but Mainoo stepped up.
It was Mainoo’s pass that set Alejandro Garnacho on a run toward the opposition box but was denied by Alexander-Arnold’s interception. He looked composed on the ball as Liverpool got more frustrated as time went on in the game.
What this means for United
Not the most exciting game as it had been built up to be, it leaves United in seventh place and six points behind Manchester City in fourth place. The future of Ten Hag at the club is now on the back burner for the moment. We head to West Ham United on Saturday and should use this result to try and galvanize a run of form of some sort.
