Manchester United headed into Sunday’s showdown with Liverpool as huge underdogs but Ruben Amorim’s side dumbfounded their critics to leave Anfield with a share of the spoils
It’s probably fair to say that not many people were expecting Manchester United to pull up any trees at Anfield on Sunday.
But for the best part of an hour, Ruben Amorim’s side exceeded all expectations. Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez combined to craft a fine goal before Liverpool fought back with strikes from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah – the latter after a controversial penalty – to seize control.
Amorim and co can take solace, though, from the way United kept at it and they got their reward when Amad diverted Alejandro Garnacho’s cutback expertly beyond Alisson to seal the hard-earned point their performance warranted.
Mirror Football picks out who stood up to be counted at Liverpool and the one area which is still a cause for concern…
Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United’s captain has become a polarising figure since inheriting the armband from Amorim’s predecessor and he’s endured some difficult days against Liverpool in recent years, most notably that 7-0 tonking last year.
But Fernandes led by example here: there were no body language issues, no signs of pettiness or anything like that. He was at the heart of most things that were good about United with a display that should silence his critics.
The way Fernandes danced infield before cutely knocking the ball into Martinez’s pass for United’s opener will get the headlines, but he was durable too, winning more duels than anybody else on the pitch during the first half.
Amorim bemoaned Manchester United’s lack of leaders in the build-up to the game. Fernandes’ performance was a timely reminder that for all his flaws, he has stood up to be counted more than anything in a United shirt during his time at the club.
Manuel Ugarte
United’s recent record in the transfer market has been pretty chequered – at best – but Ugarte showed why Erik ten Hag craved his signature so badly back in the summer.
The Uruguay international was a colossus in the engine room alongside the equally impressive Kobbie Mainoo for Amorim’s men in the first half as they silenced Anfield.
United have had major structural issues in midfield but you can see the vision with Ugarte and Mainoo, even if there were question marks over his role in Liverpool’s first goal. Mainoo has already proved his credentials, whereas the jury has arguably been out on Ugarte following his summer move.
Lisandro Martinez
It’s hard to think of a Manchester United player who hasn’t been scrutinised in recent weeks, but Martinez is another who silenced his critics at Anfield.
Like with Fernandes, his play and finish for the goal will have caught the eye. But he stepped up at the back alongside Harry Maguire to underline he can – and should – have a significant role to play in United’s new era under Amorim.
The duo were magnificent in repelling a Liverpool onslaught as they fought to get back into the match. And while United were unable to hang on after hitting the front, the performances from the likes of Martinez and co underlines that there is cause for optimism going forward once Amorim settles in at Old Trafford.
Rasmus Hojlund
18 months on from signing for big money, it’s still hard to get a gauge on Hojlund. Aged just 21, he has time on his side and could yet develop into a fine Premier League striker. But he’s not the answer for Manchester United right now.
And maybe that’s part of the problem: it’s not his fault that he’s United’s only real option to lead the line with Joshua Zirkzee looking off the standard required. Goals have been hard to come by this term and that will remain the case without a new No.9
Hojlund did have the golden opportunity to punctuate United’s fine first half display with the goal they probably deserved after being neatly slipped in.
But he never looked convinced that he was going to beat Alisson, who made himself big to smother the Dane’s attempt. And those are the type of moments which could make or break United’s season in the coming months.
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