Mohamed Salah’s brace went in vain as Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes scored to lead Manchester United to a 3-2 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup.
In contrast to the cagey Premier League clash between the two teams a week ago at Anfield, Sunday’s meeting saw both Liverpool and Manchester United take the game to each other. And eighteen minutes in, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds were leading at Old Trafford, courtesy a dinked finish from Mohamed Salah.
It did not take long for Manchester United to bounce back, though, as Mason Greenwood applied the finishing touches to a sensational cross-field pass from Marcus Rashford. Early in the second half, the latter made it 2-1 in favour of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, slotting home a calm finish after an error from Rhys Williams.
However, Liverpool fought their way back, with Salah once again getting into the goalscoring act. The Egyptian came close again and had to be denied by Dean Henderson, who also stopped a strike from Trent Alexander-Arnold before substitute Bruno Fernandes clinched the win for Manchester United with a brilliant free-kick in the 78th minute.
The most high-profile fixture in the fourth round of the FA Cup certainly lived up to the expectations, putting up a five-goal thriller. Manchester United, having come out on top, will face West Ham United in the next stage while Liverpool will be pushing to return to winning ways after yet another disappointing result. Here’s how we rated the performances of both the teams on the night.
Manchester United
Dean Henderson: 6/10
Coming in for David de Gea in goal for the cup tie, the youngster will be disappointed to have conceded two goals, with the second one sneaking in through his legs. But, Henderson made a couple of important stops with the scoreline at 2-2 to keep Manchester United in the game.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 6/10
A fairly solid outing for the former Crystal Palace defender, who did well to cope with the double-threat of Curtis Jones and Andrew Robertson. Did not have a whole lot to do in the attacking sense, with Manchester United directing their forward moves mostly from the left. Still, he did make a couple of good-looking runs in the second period.
Victor Lindelof: 5.5/10
Reinstated to the backline in place of Eric Bailly, the Swedish centre-half was caught out way too easily by Roberto Firmino’s pass leading to Salah’s opener. There was another nervy moment after the break when he lost an aerial duel leading to chance for James Milner. Solid apart from those two moments.
Harry Maguire: 6/10
Steady and solid for the most part, the Manchester United skipper was done in by Milner’s dummy leading to Salah’s second, which will not have pleased him. Did not do much wrong otherwise and carried the ball out from the back fairly confidently.
Luke Shaw: 7/10
Luke Shaw made more tackles (4) than any other player on the pitch and created more chances (3) than any other Man Utd player against Liverpool.
Making the left back spot his own this season. pic.twitter.com/H1NzWBWPjq
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 24, 2021
Was partly at fault for Salah’s opening goal, but it was another strong performance from the England international. Pushed forward with intent, delivered some dangerous set-pieces while defending solidly for majority of the game. Continues to grow in stature.
Scott McTominay: 5/10
One of the Scotsman’s poorer displays for Manchester United in recent memory. Needed to get tighter to Firmino in the lead-up to the opening goal and was generally found wanting in the middle of the park. Had a few nice moments while carrying the ball forward, but is capable of so much more.
Paul Pogba: 7/10
Paul Pogba’s game by numbers vs. Liverpool:
100% long pass accuracy
100% aerial duels won
83% pass accuracy
69 total touches
3 interceptions
1 foul wonAnother big performance. ? pic.twitter.com/OjEmBtguNk
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 24, 2021
A strong, effective display at both ends of the pitch from the Frenchman. Worked hard off the ball to cut off passing lanes for the visitors and always looked to drive the team forward and create chances for his teammates.
Won the ball for the move leading to Greenwood’s goal, had a couple of efforts at goal that were not too far away. A surging run on the right in the second half showed how good he can be when gets going.
Mason Greenwood: 7/10
The young Englishman’s decision-making continues to be a bit of a problem as he, on multiple occasions, could have picked a better option in the final third. Did draw a save from Alisson before burying the ball into the net for the equaliser. Released Rashford for United’s second. A good performance, but there is still scope for improvement.
Donny van de Beek: 5/10
Handed a starting berth ahead of Bruno Fernandes, and one could see that he has not been playing regularly. One particular incident when he slowed down a move and passed the ball backwards attracted the ire of his manager from the touchline. Did play a few neat passes, but failed to make the most of his chance before making way for Bruno Fernandes.
Marcus Rashford: 8/10
Marcus Rashford’s game by numbers vs. Liverpool:
38 touches
2 shots
2 shots on target
2 fouls won
2 take-ons
1 chance created
1 goal
1 assistHe scored and assisted in the same game for the second time this season. pic.twitter.com/GZyaF9cbzM
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 24, 2021
A constant thorn in Liverpool’s side, the Manchester United academy graduate posed problems to Alexander-Arnold and Williams on a consistent basis with his pace and movement. Delivered a sensational pass to assist Greenwood before latching on to a pass from the youngster and coolly slotting it past Alisson to make it 2-1. Had to come off with a knee injury late on.
Edinson Cavani: 6/10
Showed some neat link-up with those around him, with a fine backheel into Greenwood particularly standing out. Gave away the ball very poorly leading to Liverpool’s second. But, Cavani won the free-kick leading to the winning goal. Almost scored a fourth with a top-class header which hit the outside of the post.
SUBSTITUTES
Fred: 6.5/10
Shored things up in the middle, making Manchester United more solid.
Bruno Fernandes: 7/10
Bruno Fernandes' Man Utd career by numbers so far
◎ 51 games
◉ 28 goals
◎ 17 assistsTheir Portuguese Magnifico. ? pic.twitter.com/v6kYLk0gFl
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 24, 2021
Left out of the starting XI, the Portuguese came on for van de Beek in the 66th minute. Grabbed the win for Manchester United with a brilliantly taken free-kick. Impact substitute.
Anthony Martial: N/A
On for the injured Rashford in the 86th minute.
Liverpool
Alisson Becker: 5/10
Made a smart save to deny Greenwood in the first half. Not a lot he could have done to stop any of the goals on the night. Distribution-wise not at his best either, putting his teammates under pressure with some of his passes.
Could Alisson have done better? ?https://t.co/hNlaeHAQrH pic.twitter.com/nFwGVNcIyH
— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) January 24, 2021
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6/10
A threat going forward, the Englishman delivered some dangerous crosses and had a shot saved in the second half as well. However, he left spaces open at the back and needed to do more to help out Williams defensively.
Rhys Williams: 4/10
The lack of experience showed on Sunday night as the teenager struggled to cope with the threat of Rashford and Cavani, in what was a nervy performance. Failed to clear Greenwood’s pass to Rashford leading to United’s second of the night.
Fabinho: 5.5/10
Composed and reliable for the most part, but found wanting in key moments as he was caught out of position for Greenwood’s equaliser and picked up a yellow card for a foul on the youngster on the edge of the box close to half-time. Gave away the free-kick late in the game from which Fernandes scored the winning goal
Andrew Robertson: 6/10
Always on the prowl to get forward and make things happen, although he lacked that bit of quality that he usually brings to the table. His attacking intent meant that he was caught out of position at the back leading to Greenwood’s goal.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 6/10
Started the move for the opening goal and went about his work in typical industrious fashion in the middle of the park. Could have shown a bit more imagination when on the ball, though. Subbed off soon after the hour mark.
Thiago Alcantara: 6/10
2D 3L
Liverpool still haven't won a game that Thiago has started ? pic.twitter.com/54WUhPA8mm
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 24, 2021
The Spanish midfield maestro could not entirely exert himself on the proceedings, although there were moments of quality on display every now and then. Did the dirty work off the ball and made a key pass. Grew tired as the game wore on, though.
James Milner: 6/10
Could not cut out Rashford’s tremendous pass for Greenwood, with the ball flying just over his head. Showed energy and grit in the middle throughout the game, otherwise. Started the move and pulled off a lovely dummy in the lead-up to Salah’s second goal of the night.
Mohamed Salah: 8/10
Back among the goals, the Egyptian opened the scoring with a lovely dink over Dean Henderson before showing his clinical touch to slot the ball into the net through the Manchester United goalkeeper’s legs for his second. Could have had a hat-trick but was denied. His team may have lost, but the goals will have done a world of good for his confidence.
18’ Firmino assists Salah
58’ Firmino assists Salah
Liverpool’s forwards are back in-sync (with help from a James Milner dummy). pic.twitter.com/J1I10XPzXN
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 24, 2021
Roberto Firmino: 7/10
Looked much better than he has in recent games, playing a lovely through ball to set Salah up for the opening goal before sending in another smart pass for the Egyptian’s second. Got into dangerous positions himself on a couple of occasions but could not make them count.
Curtis Jones: 6/10
Showed his versatility, starting on the left wing and had some good moments early in the game. Moved into midfield in the second period and tried to drive the team forward, without much reward, however.
SUBSTITUTES
Sadio Mane: 5/10
Came on to replace Wijnaldum in the 62nd minute. Slotted in on the left, with Jones moving into midfield. Booked for a rash challenge on Fred. Did not do much of note apart from that.
Divock Origi: N/A
On for Firmino in the 81st minute.
Xherdan Shaqiri: N/A
Replaced Thiago with less than ten minutes left.
