Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool: 5 hits and flops as Bruno Fernandes free-kick settles intense contest | FA Cup 2020-21

Manchester United beat arch-rivals Liverpool 3-2 at the Old Trafford to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, and Bruno Fernandes were all on target for the Red Devils as Mohamed Salah's double went in vain.

The Egyptian opened the scoring for the visitors, who've been struggling for goals lately, but the home side pulled ahead through Greenwood and Rashford in either half.

Salah was then on target again to restore parity for the Premier League holders, but Fernandes settled an engaging contest with a sublime free-kick in the 78th minute.

Manchester United next face West Ham United in the FA Cup, whereas Liverpool will be disappointed after going out in yet another competition.

Here are the hit and flop performers from the northwest derby:

Hit: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

There's no stopping Fernandes

We have exhausted all superlatives to describe the impact Fernandes has had since arriving at Old Trafford last year. And even though tonight wasn't the most vintage performance from him, the former Sporting CP man, nevertheless, was vital to Manchester United's fortunes.

The 26-year-old sensation extended his imperious goal record for the club with yet another strike - this time, a majestic free-kick to settle the contest, curving one around the Liverpool wall into the bottom corner.

He was on the field for just 12 minutes until then, having come off the bench after the hour mark replacing Donny van de Beek. But it's never about time for Fernandes, it's about opportunity.

The midfield phenom got another one on this occasion, and like almost always, made the most of it.

Flop: Rhys Williams (Liverpool)

Williams was targeted by Manchester United all night

The reigning Premier League champions are going through a defensive crisis at the moment due to injuries to first-team stars, so much so that Jurgen Klopp has had to turn to young players such as Rhys Williams.

It was clear from his performance today that the 19-year old certainly isn't the answer to their issues at the back. At least at the moment.

He struggled with pace and looked nervous on the ball as Manchester United identified the weak link in Liverpool's set up and pressed him to the hilt.

In fact, Williams also let slip Greenwood's pass in the second half which then allowed Rashford to steal clear of the visitors and score.

It would be harsh to make him the scapegoat for tonight's failure as the centre-back is still inexperienced at the top level and this is only his first season with the Reds.

However, questions will be asked of Klopp on whether he should've rather gone ahead with Nat Philipps instead of him.

Hit: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Salah stepped up for Liverpool tonight, netting a brace

It's no secret that Liverpool had been struggling for goals recently, having failed to score in four of the previous five games before this one.

All of them were in the Premier League, while the only occasion they managed to score during that run was against Aston Villa in this competition.

The misfiring Reds were on target again tonight in the same competition, with both strikes coming from none other than Salah, who's quietly been having a good season, despite struggling to be consistent.

The Egyptian ace, who doesn't normally score against United, looked upbeat for the derby. He put the visitors ahead with a nonchalant chip above Dean Henderson, before levelling the game with an all-important equaliser.

Even though his best efforts didn't yield fruit as the Red Devils eventually progressed, Salah's brace could light up the spark in Liverpool's attacking vanguard which had otherwise struggled recently.

Flop: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Alexander-Arnold's poor run continued with another stinker

It's not often that you label Alexander-Arnold a flop, but the marauding full-back has been admittedly below his standards this season, and the trend continued with another poor showing from him.

He completed just five of his 10 long balls and didn't produce even a single accurate cross. Now that's worrying for a player who's made a reputation for delivering excellent crosses.

Make no mistake, there was urgency in his game as he drove forward to try and get involved offensively, but the output was bare minimum.

Rashford had a gala time going at him as the 22-year old couldn't keep up with him and also left plenty of gaps at the back for him at various points in the match.

Hit: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

This was vintage Rashford

After six games, Rashford was on target again, and he couldn't have found a better occasion to end his barren run.

The Manchester United number 10 slotted home a cool finish early on after the break to put the Red Devils in the lead, having also set up Greenwood for the equaliser with an unreal pass.

He was a constant threat for the Reds with his electric pace, outrageous dribbling skills, and intelligent movements, turning in one of his best performances of this season.

Also, this was his fourth strike against Liverpool at the Old Trafford in five appearances, the most he's managed against one single opponent at the venue. Streak.