Mainoo magic seals route to Europe
A winner from Kobbie Mainoo has secured Champions League football next season after beating Liverpool at Old Trafford. We appeared to be cruising at half-time thanks to goals from Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sseko. A fightback threatened to spoil the day but Mainoo decided otherwise.
It was yet another erratic performance from the visitors though. They were all over the place in the first-half but had drawn level within ten minutes of the break. Questions continue to be asked of the future of many of last year’s title winners.
Michael Carrick was able to welcome back Matheus Cunha after he missed the win over Brentford. He started ahead of Amad Diallo. Patrick Dorgu was again on the bench as he works his way back to fitness. Casemiro was playing his second last game in front of the Old Trafford fans.
Arnie Slot was forced to do without injured pair Alexander Isak and Mo Salah to add to their injury list. They were replaced by Jeremie Frimpong and Ryan Gravenberch.
The home team were looking to seal the points needed and started the brighter. A teasing cross by Bryan Mbeumo was just missed by Benjamin Sesko before another cross was hacked out by Ibrahim Konate.
That helped bring about the opening goal on six minutes. The resulting corner was only partially cleared by Andy Robertson into the path of Matheus Cunha. His first effort was blocked by Ryan Gravenberch but back into his feet. The second try took a deflection off Alexis MacAllister and bounced past Freddie Woodman.
Eight minutes later and the reds had doubled their lead. Liverpool had a spell of possession but Utd broke with speed. Fernandes played in a tempting cross towards Benjamin Sesko. His initial effort was saved by Woodman with Sesko claiming he was fouled in the process. It came back out to Fernandes who crossed again, Woodman attempted to save it, the ball rebounded off Sesko and trickled past the keeper. A lengthy VAR check was conducted to see if the ball had brushed his arm. It was inconclusive and we were two to the good. It was his ninth this calendar year.
The Slovenian was then barged off the field and into the boardings by Konate. The latter was fortunate to not get at least a caution for it. Cody Gakpo had Liverpool’s best effort when his 25 yard effort went just past the post. Fernandes should have made it three after another breakaway. His shot went just wide.
The home side were comfortably in control for the remainder of the half. Fans were understandably concerned when news of Sir Alex Ferguson taken away feeling unwell. It was later confirmed be just precautionary.
The game took a major twist just after the break. Amad Diallo had come on for Sesko and almost immediately played a square ball in midfield that was picked up by Dominic Szoboszlai. He was allowed to advance too far and shot past Senne Lammens through the legs of Diogo Dalot.
The Belgian could not be blamed for that. He was at fault when the visitors found themselves level ten minutes later. Ayden Heaven touched the ball to the keeper who attempted to pass it to Casemiro. It was picked up by MacAllister who passed it to Szoboszlai who squared it to Gakpo. He tapped home to the travelling fans delight.
Suddenly it was they who looked the more likely to claim the three points. Gakpo saw his shot deflected over the bar after a lay off from Milos Kirkez. Lammens then had to desperately bundle away from a goalmouth scramble. At the other end, Casemiro was left cursing his luck as he headed straight at Woodman from about ten yards.
The game swung back in our favour on 77 minutes. Luke Shaw combined with Diallo before MacAllister produced a weak clearance to the edge of the area. Kobbie Mainoo was lurking with intent and he got to the ball before Szoboszlai could. He sidefooted his finish into the bottom corner with precision. It capped a perfect week for the Stockport lad.
Both sides had half chances to score in the remaining time. Patrick Dorgu and Diogo were off target for us whilst Rio Ngumoha blasted well over.
The final whistle was greeted with jubilation by the Old Trafford faithful. It is a first league double over our bitter rivals since 2016. They can now start preparing for next season with Champions League football to look forward to. They next travel to Sunderland in a very rare Saturday 15:00 fixture. Liverpool must patch themselves up and take on Chelsea in the late kick-off.
Machester United: Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot, Ayden Heaven, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Matheus Cunha (Joshua Zirkzee 87), Bruno Fernandes (Leny Yoro 90+5), Bryan Mbeumo (Patrick Dorgu 76), Benjamin Sesko (Amad Diallo 46).
Subs not used: Altay Bayinder, Noussair Mazraoui, Mason Mount, Tyrell Malacia, Manuel Ugarte.
Booked: Luke Shaw (49), Bruno Fernandes (80)
Sent Off:
Liverpool: Freddie Woodman, Curtis Jones, Ibrahim Konate (Federico Chiesa 87), Virgil Van Dijk, Andy Robertson (Milos Kerkez 59), Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis MacAllister, Jeremie Frimpong (Rio Ngumoha 75), Dominic Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Cody Gakpo.
Subs not used: Armin Pesci, Joe Gomez, Trey Nyoni, Kiernan Morrison, Talle Ndiaye, Will Wright.
Booked: Curtis Jones (75), Cody Gakpo (84)
Sent Off: None
Referee: Darren England
Attendance: 74,027
Simply Red Man of the Match: Kobbie Mainoo
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