Mainoo's a superstar! Youngster helps United stay on edge vs Liverpool

Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes showcased remarkable finishing skills, but it wasn't sufficient to secure a glorious victory for the Red Devils due to Aaron Wan-Bissaka's costly errors.

The dynamic duo of Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo showcased their brilliance with stunning goals, but Manchester United's hopes were dashed by a costly mistake from defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, which handed their arch-rivals, Liverpool, an opportunity to level the score.

Match Report Summary (Manchester United vs Liverpool)

Despite enduring a tumultuous week and delivering a lackluster first-half performance, during which they failed to register a single shot on target and conceded 15 attempts, Manchester United found themselves in a surprising position of leading the game after Fernandes and Mainoo's sensational strikes.
However, the joy was short-lived as Wan-Bissaka's ill-timed challenge gifted Liverpool's Mohamed Salah a chance to convert from the penalty spot, thus erasing United's hard-earned advantage.

Manchester United's defensive frailties were evident throughout the match, highlighted by their lapse in marking that allowed Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz to combine effectively, resulting in Liverpool's opening goal.

Despite the odds stacked against them, Manchester United managed to avoid falling behind further in the first half, but their inability to maintain their lead ultimately cost them what could have been a remarkable victory.

In an unexpected turn of events, Jarell Quansah unintentionally gifted Bruno Fernandes a golden opportunity to equalize for Manchester United by delivering a poorly judged back-pass, allowing Fernandes to calmly chip the ball over goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher with just one touch in the 50th minute.

Kobbie Mainoo then raised the stakes even higher by scoring a sensational goal to put Manchester United in the lead. However, despite their momentary advantage, Manchester United struggled to maintain their composure, evident in their coach Erik ten Hag's decision to substitute the influential Alejandro Garnacho for Sofyan Amrabat, which reflected a lack of confidence and belief in securing the victory.

Despite their shortcomings, many fans would likely have been content with a draw against Liverpool, particularly considering the turbulent circumstances leading up to the match. Moreover, denying Liverpool the opportunity to secure their record-equalling 20th title would have been an added satisfaction for the Manchester United faithful.

Match Video Highlight

Manchester United's players rating from Old Trafford

Goalkeeper & Defence Ratings:

Andre Onana (7/10):

Andre Onana showcased his quality with an impressive performance, highlighted by a top-class save early in the game and his composed distribution from the back. Despite facing a barrage of shots, he remained unflappable throughout the match.

Diogo Dalot (5/10):

Diogo Dalot had a mixed outing, particularly struggling in the first half with erratic play. However, he managed to improve his performance after the halftime break, stabilizing his defensive contributions.

Harry Maguire (5/10):

Harry Maguire's performance was inconsistent, alternating between moments of uncertainty and authority. While he showed glimpses of dominance in aerial duels, there were occasions where he appeared vulnerable, giving the impression of being a liability.

Willy Kambwala (7/10):

Willy Kambwala impressed with his defensive solidity, especially considering his relative lack of experience and the significance of the match. He demonstrated excellent defensive awareness and resilience throughout the game.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (4/10):

Aaron Wan-Bissaka endured a challenging outing, particularly struggling to contain the opposition's attacks down the left flank in the first half. Despite winning most of his tackles, his costly error in conceding a penalty by tripping Harvey Elliot provided Liverpool with a crucial opportunity to get back into the game.

Midfield Ratings

Kobbie Mainoo (8/10):

Kobbie Mainoo exhibited his exceptional skill and composure on the ball, although he encountered difficulties in containing Mac Allister defensively. His standout moment came with a remarkable goal, making him the youngest Manchester United player to score against Liverpool in the Premier League.

Casemiro (3/10):

Casemiro had a disappointing performance, characterized by slow movement, poor anticipation, and subpar passing accuracy. His lackluster display was a significant contributing factor to the team's struggles in midfield.

Bruno Fernandes (5/10):

Bruno Fernandes endured a challenging first half, failing to make a significant impact on the game. However, his quick thinking enabled Manchester United to draw level with a crucial goal. Following the withdrawal of Garnacho, Fernandes was deployed on the left wing, a position that doesn't fully utilize his strengths, which contributed to his relatively subdued performance.

Attack Ratings

Alejandro Garnacho (6/10):

Alejandro Garnacho consistently posed a threat to the opposition defense, making his substitution by Ten Hag a disappointing decision aimed at preserving the lead, which undermined United's attacking potential.

Rasmus Hojlund (4/10):

Rasmus Hojlund struggled to make an impact on the game, with his involvement limited, raising concerns about his form following his return from injury. His lack of contribution added to the team's offensive struggles.

Marcus Rashford (5/10):

Marcus Rashford had a surprisingly poor performance in the first half, particularly in defensive aspects of his game. Although he showed improvement after the break, his momentum was disrupted by a knock, forcing him to be substituted. This further compounded Manchester United's attacking woes.

Substitutes & Manager Ratings

Antony (5/10):

Antony struggled to make a significant impact after coming on as a substitute, missing a crucial chance to secure victory for the team in the dying moments of the game. His inability to capitalize on the opportunity added to the frustration of Manchester United supporters.

Sofyan Amrabat (N/A):

Sofyan Amrabat was brought on to provide stability to the midfield, but unfortunately, his contribution was not as impactful as hoped. Instead of bolstering the team's defensive efforts, Amrabat appeared to be more of a liability, failing to provide the desired support in midfield.

Mason Mount (N/A):

Mason Mount's introduction into the game saw him sacrificing himself for the team by earning a booking for a tactical foul on Gakpo, aiming to disrupt the opposition's attacking momentum.

Erik ten Hag (5/10):

Erik ten Hag's management of the match was a mixed bag. While he may have been content with a draw before kickoff, failing to secure victory despite being in a winning position reflected shortcomings in his tactical decisions. The decision to substitute Garnacho for Amrabat was particularly criticized, as it was perceived as a negative move that ultimately undermined Manchester United's attacking threat.