The first top of the league clash since 2008/09 between Manchester United and Liverpool struggled to hit the heights that it was built up to reach — as the neighboring sides played out a cool 0-0 draw at Anfield.
United headed to the home of the defending champions full of confidence and sitting atop of the Premier League table, but it was the hosts who looked more threatening from the start in what turned out to be a tale of two halves.
Liverpool did a lot of huffing and puffing in the first half without ever really troubling United’s defense and David de Gea. In the second, United built on a good ending to the opening frame and got the best chances in the game to secure the three points.
Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba both failed to score from point blank ranges, forcing Alisson to make decent stops after very good sequences of play from both flanks.
A little against the run of play, the taste of splitting the points at Anfield might prove to taste the sourest for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, but a point there is usually a good one nonetheless.
United remain at the top of the league, two points ahead of Leicester now and with a trip to struggling Fulham looming in mid week.
Ratings
David de Gea – 7
A relatively quiet night at the office for the Spaniard who has now kept three clean sheets in his last four league games.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 7
The right-back kept close tabs on the marauding Robertson down United’s right hand side and almost set up Pogba for a late match winner with a great run down the wing. Solid display.
Victor Lindelof – 8
There were questions asked of the Swede’s selection over Eric Bailly, but he answered them all with flying colors. An excellent assured display in the heard of the defense alongside Maguire.
Harry Maguire – 8
The skipper read the game excellently and won seemingly every aerial duel as Liverpool continued to bombard the box with crosses. United never looked like conceding in key moments.
Luke Shaw – 9
Even though it was a draw, the left-back put in arguably one of his best performances ever in a United shirt. Commanding defensively and threatening going forward, Shaw looks to finally be hitting the kind of form from before the horrific injury in 2015.
Scott McTominay – 6
The Scot didn’t look comfortable carrying out the tasks he was asked to do. Very reserved in 50/50’s in the first half and struggled for large parts of the game to progress the ball out of his own third.
Fred – 6.5
He suffered in similar ways to his double pivot partner in the first half but switched in to gear after the break and quietened down the dangerous Thiago while doing a better job at starting attacks.
Paul Pogba – 7
Deployed in an unusual right sided role, the Frenchman did well for the most parts on the ball and in his defensive duties but that final ball was just evading him and Bruno. Had a golden chance to score the winner late.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Credit to Bruno, he always tries and never lets his head drop, but by his standards — that was a poor performance. The things that he was trying were rarely coming off and he missed a golden opportunity to put the Reds ahead in the second half. Nothing to worry about though.
Marcus Rashford – 5.5
It was a disappointing performance from United’s No. 10. There has been a few of those of late but they have been emphasized especially when he doesn’t get a goal contribution. Some bad decisions and mistimed runs in the final third spelled a frustrating afternoon.
Anthony Martial – 6
Subbed off quite early, Martial arguably looked the brightest of United’s attackers when on the ball and going forward, but a frustrating night at the office nonetheless with no clear cut opportunities falling at the Frenchman’s feet.
Substitutes
Edinson Cavani – 6
A 30 minute cameo from the Uruguayan in which he couldn’t do what his compatriot Diego Forlan accomplished at Anfield all those years ago.
Mason Greenwood – N/A
Author
