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In a classic FA Cup tie at Old Trafford today, Manchester United advanced to the fifth round by defeating Liverpool in a 3-2 thriller.
Both sides took the lead in what was a fantastic game but in the end, it was Bruno Fernandes’ wicked free-kick that sealed the game for Manchester United.
The scoring started in the first half when Roberto Firmino’s slide-rule pass found an unmarked Mo Salah, who flicked the ball over Dean Henderson and into the United net. However, just eight minutes later, United were level.
A wonderful ball from Marcus Rashford found Mason Greenwood in acres of space, and he slotted past Alisson Becker for his first goal in 11 games.
Manchester United took the lead early in the second half, with Rashford capitalising on a defensive error to thread the ball home, but again Liverpool hit back, with Firmino setting Salah up for his second goal.
However, just as the game appeared to be heading into extra-time, substitute Fernandes won it for Manchester United. The Portuguese star arced a contentious free-kick wonderfully past Alisson, and although Liverpool tried to hit back, they couldn’t find a third goal.
With the win, Manchester United move on to play West Ham in the fifth round.
Here are five talking points from Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Liverpool.
#1 Why couldn’t last weekend’s game have been like this?
Last weekend, Liverpool faced off with Manchester United at Anfield in one of the season’s most highly anticipated Premier League games. With Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table and Liverpool – at that point – in second, it felt like there was everything to play for.
Unfortunately, the two sides ended up playing out a largely dull 0-0 draw, with only a handful of chances coming for both teams.
Fans may well have been dreading a repeat in today’s FA Cup tie, but thankfully, they need not have worried. Both Manchester United and Liverpool named strong teams, and came to Old Trafford to win. And that made for an absolutely tremendous game.
They both attacked from the go, with both teams having 14 shots on goal throughout the game, and by the end, some thunderous tackles were flying in on both sides. To be honest, referee Craig Pawson did well to only book four players given the full-blooded nature of some of the challenges on offer.
All of this raises a simple question: why did Manchester United and Liverpool not play like this last weekend? The likely answer is that while both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jurgen Klopp would like to win the FA Cup, it’s not a priority like the Premier League.
However, playing not to lose – as Manchester United and Liverpool did last week – rather than to win, simply doesn’t offer the entertainment like this kind of game did. To be frank, it’s sad.
#2 Where would Manchester United be without talisman Bruno?
Manchester United might’ve come away with a win today, but it’s definitely worth asking exactly where they’d be without Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese playmaker – who signed for United a year ago this week – once again made the difference, this time after coming off the bench.
That’s not to say that Manchester United performed badly before Bruno’s introduction. In reality, either side could’ve won this game had they taken their chances. However, it’s safe to say that though he only played about 25 minutes today, he made a ton of difference.
Prior to Bruno’s arrival, Manchester United looked dangerous at times going forward, but too often their midfielders – Donny Van De Beek, Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba – failed to find the correct pass.
When the Portuguese was introduced, though, it was as if the pitch opened up for the likes of Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani.
And when he was given his chance – a free-kick won by Cavani in what was probably the only questionable call of the match from referee Craig Pawson – Fernandes came up trumps, scything the dead-ball into the net past Alisson.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are now into the fifth round of the FA Cup – and they’re also putting together an unlikely Premier League title challenge. However, quite where they’d be without their Portuguese talisman, who’s scored 26 goals and registered 16 assists since his arrival at Old Trafford – is anyone’s guess.
#3 Liverpool snap out of their attacking slumber...
Much has been made recently of Liverpool’s attacking slumber. Jurgen Klopp’s side – who were free-scoring throughout 2019-20 – haven’t found the net in their last four Premier League games. Their last goals before today came against Aston Villa’s U-18 side. And they looked thoroughly out of ideas against Burnley this week.
However, today their front line – Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino in particular – appeared to snap out of their funk and produced the kind of form that had every defence in Europe terrified of them.
Firmino was back to his best, dropping deep at times to claim the ball and threading multiple passes through to Salah. And the Egyptian largely obliged, scoring two goals, but in truth, on another day he could well have had four or five.
Sure, Manchester United’s slack defence played its part. Their marking for Salah’s first goal was appalling, and quite why they risked playing out from the back prior to the Egyptian’s second is an absolute mystery.
Even so though, this was the most dangerous Liverpool have looked going forward since 2021 began. Klopp will be hoping that his forwards can continue this form going into this Thursday’s key Premier League game with Tottenham, because if they play like this, they can definitely score.
#4...but the Reds’ defensive woes are still a massive concern
For as good as Liverpool’s forwards were today, their defence must still be a major concern for Klopp. Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes all took their goals wonderfully today, but the truth is that all three goals could’ve been cut out.
Greenwood was simply allowed far too much space by Andrew Robertson and Fabinho for his goal, while Rashford’s was outright caused by a massive error from Rhys Williams, who somehow let the ball get past him and into the path of the England forward.
And while nobody could’ve done anything about Fernandes’ wonderful free-kick, and it’s true that Edinson Cavani probably pulled the wool over ref Craig Pawson’s eyes to win it, it was still avoidable.
Would Virgil Van Dijk have needed to get as close to the Uruguayan as Fabinho did in order to allow him to tumble to the ground in the first place? Probably not.
With Van Dijk and Joe Gomez out for the foreseeable future and Joel Matip apparently not fit enough to play every game, surely Liverpool must dip into the transfer market this month, even for a temporary solution.
Judging by today’s game, Liverpool’s less-experienced defenders aren’t good enough, while playing Fabinho out of position can only work for so long. It’s an issue that may well come back to haunt Liverpool in their upcoming clash with Tottenham.
#5 Why did Manchester United even sign Van de Beek?
While Manchester United’s defending was questionable at times today, particularly for Liverpool’s two goals, their most ineffective player by a mile was Donny Van de Beek.
The Dutch playmaker was selected ahead of Bruno Fernandes as Manchester United’s playmaker – most likely to give the Portuguese a rest – but completely failed to make an impact on the game.
While Marcus Rashford looked dangerous every time he ran at Liverpool’s defence and Mason Greenwood took his goal well, the Dutchman was completely anonymous.
Incredibly, Van De Beek played 66 minutes of today’s game, made 23 touches of the ball, and completed just 14 accurate passes with one of them being a key pass. Fernandes, by comparison, managed 21 touches, 9 accurate passes, and one key pass in less than half that time.
Quite why Manchester United parted with around £40m to bring Van De Beek to Old Trafford in August is a mystery. He’s clearly an excellent talent – but he doesn’t fit into this Manchester United side at all and having him around feels like an uneeded luxury.
Perhaps the best thing for all parties would be to find the Dutchman a loan move this month.
