Kobbie Mainoo wins thriller for Man Utd as Liverpool fightback comes to nothing

Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool: Mainoo’s calm finish settled a frenetic clash after the visitors had fought from two goals down at half time
Manchester United defeated Liverpool 3-2 in an entertaining clash at Old Trafford to secure a place in next season’s Champions League .

Mistakes from Amad Diallo and Senne Lammens allowed Liverpool back into the contest with Amad’s poor pass setting up Dominik Szoboszlai to sweep forward and guide in a fine effort.

Lammens was then at fault as he gave the ball away to a high pressing Alexis Mac Allister who fed it to Cody Gakpo to turn into an open goal.

United then struck through Kobbie Mainoo who scored a low first-time effort from outside the box to restore the lead and secure all three points.

United now sit six points clear of the Reds in third and have an unassailable 12-point lead over sixth place Bournemouth.

Follow live updates from Man Utd v Liverpool, below
Kobbie Mainoo: 'Credit to players and manager that we have turned it around'
Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo is delighted to have marked a wonderful week with a new contract and a winner against Liverpool at Old Trafford.

What a turnaround for him, and for United after the way they started the season.

“To turn it around the way we have done, it's a credit to the players and the manager.

We are just looking forward and still need to finish the season strong,” he tells Sky Sports.

"We want to just keep on winning and winning.

It was difficult, of course, any time you're not playing football.

I just tried to look forward as much as possible, keep working hard and keep my head down to get these things from it.”
A fightback from Liverpool...

but not enough for Arne Slot
It was dismal stuff for Liverpool at half-time, 2-0 down to Manchester United and looking at an afternoon that could have got much, much worse.

There was a decent fightback after the break; although they were gifted both of their goals, Arne Slot’s side managed to show some resilience and flipped the game on its head.

Champions League is still not secure for them.

But one more win, from their final three games against Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford, will be enough.

What an afternoon for Michael Carrick
The last time Manchester United did the double over Liverpool Michael Carrick was in the away end at Anfield in January 2016.

When he took over in January they were in the bottom half of the table.

But Carrick has led a remarkable transformation at Old Trafford.

They are heading back into the Champions League and will be finishing third this season, ahead of a Liverpool side they finished 42 points behind when they won the title last season.

FULL TIME!

Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool
Frenetic stuff and terrific entertainment.

Over 90 minutes, United did more, first winning the game, then giving away their lead.

But what a week Mainoo has had - first a new contract, now a winner against Liverpool.

90+5 mins: Fernandes wins a throw-in and Old Trafford erupts!

Seconds to go.

And now United will bring off their captain to a standing ovation.

90+4 mins: Jones wins a free-kick and Szoboszlai will cross...

Casemiro heads away.

90+3 mins: Van Dijk is forward for Liverpool...

Chiesa’s cross into the box beats everyone.

90+1 mins: Fernandes is caught from behind by Mac Allister as he shot at goal in the box...

penalty?

VAR says no.

Liverpool attack but Kerkez’s cross trickles through to Lammens.

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