Manchester United extended their lead over Liverpool to five points with a 2-1 win over Jurgen Klopp’s side at Old Trafford this afternoon.
Marcus Rashford scored his first brace since his Premier League debut in the opening 24 minutes as Romelu Lukaku bullied Dejan Lovren in the build up to both goals.
Liverpool halved the deficit midway through the second half when Eric Bailly failed to sort his feet out and diverted Sadio Mane’s cross into his own net.
Here are how our players fared:
David de Gea 6
We kept the Liverpool attack quiet today and David de Gea had very little to do. The Spaniard wasn’t given a chance with Eric Bailly’s own goal.
Antonio Valencia 7
Did well in keeping Sadio Mane quiet until the Liverpool goal. Antonio Valencia got forward on occasion to give us width down the right.
Eric Bailly 8
Solid in his return to the first team in keeping Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane away from our goal. However, Eric Bailly failed to sort his feet out and ended up scoring a bizarre own goal to give his teammates a nervous final 20 minutes.
Chris Smalling 8
Excellent in keeping Roberto Firmino quiet all afternoon but Virgil van Dijk did win two headers from corners against Chris Smalling and we were fortunate the Dutch centre-back was off target. Threw his body in the way of a late Georginio Wijnaldum chance and was commanding the box whenever the ball was inside it.
Ashley Young 8
Excellent game up against Mohamed Salah as the Egyptian’s name was barely mentioned today. Ashley Young also prevented Trent Alexander-Arnold from getting crosses in down the Liverpool right. Remained disciplined in defence.
Scott McTominay 8
A calm and assuring performance from the youngster who won the ball around our penalty area a number of times, was cool in possession and made a number of clearances. Helped us grind out the result.
Nemanja Matic 8
Liverpool may have dominated possession but they failed to create much in open play. Nemanja Matic helped prevent the Reds’ midfield from creating anything for their front three, forcing them to use the wings. The Serbian was a bit sloppy in possession at times today though.
Juan Mata 5
Saw few touches and his passing game wasn’t a huge factor in the final third today. However Juan Mata did have an unmarked scissor kick late in the first half that went wide, and then a shot blocked from close range in the 85th minute. Replaced by Jesse Lingard in the final five minutes.
Alexis Sanchez 7
Created an excellent opportunity for Juan Mata towards the end of the first half and pulled off a number of pinpoint passes. This free role better suited Alexis Sanchez today even in a game where we didn’t see the majority of possession.
Marcus Rashford 9
Two excellent finishes past Loris Karius to put us into an early, comfortable lead. Marcus Rashford also worked hard defensively until he was replaced heading into the final 20 minutes. The youngster had picked up a yellow card in the first half.
Romelu Lukaku 8
Bullied Dejan Lovren, first to head Marcus Rashford through on goal for his first, and the second to try play Juan Mata in with the ball rebounding to Rashford to score his second. Romelu Lukaku was excellent when the ball was played up to him today but once again didn’t get any goalscoring chances himself today.
Substitutes
Marouane Fellaini (20 mins) N/A – We defended set pieces much better after the big midfielder came on to help calm the nerves and see the game out.
Jesse Lingard (3 mins) N/A – Late substitution to help run out some time and offer a pacey counter attacking threat.
Matteo Darmian (0 mins) N/A – Brought on to watch David de Gea take a goal kick before the full-time whistle went.
