Manchester United have defeated Liverpool to secure Champions League football, as Kobbie Mainoo’s strike proved enough to give the home side a 3-2 victory over their arch-rivals at Old Trafford.
United initially went two goals up inside the first 15 minutes through Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, but imploded after the break to allow Liverpool to level before Mainoo struck home the winner to seal the victory for Manchester United.
The home side started like a house on fire, putting early pressure on the visitors and eventually got the opener through a deflected strike from Matheus Cunha in the sixth minute, to the delight of Manchester United’s fans.
Liverpool attempted to respond but went further behind nine minutes later as Woodman punched Bruno Fernandes’ cross onto the thigh of Benjamin Sesko to roll into the net. Following a VAR check for a possible handball, the goal was eventually given based on unavailability of concrete evidence to prove a handball offense, and Liverpool went into the break trailing by two goals.
The first few minutes of the second went differently as Liverpool capitalised on Amad Diallo’s misplaced pass to halve the United’s lead through Szoboszlai’s goal, and an error from Lammens gifted Liverpool a leveller courtesy of Cody Gakpo, who has now scored four goals in five appearances against Manchester United.
Liverpool continued to pile the pressure on United, following an obvious momentum shift to their favour. However, Manchester United snatched back the lead as Kobbie Mainoo’s 77th-minute strike sealed the victory for the home side.
Manchester United remain 3rd on the Premier League table with 64 points, six points ahead of Liverpool in 4th place, and confirmed that they will be participating in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
