Manchester United went to Anfield looking desperate in some of their previous matches, with fans from all over England expecting them to lose comfortably. But Erik Ten Hag’s side managed to keep Liverpool to a 0-0 draw away from home, showing good fighting spirit to negate Jurgen Klopp’s side, which way too often knew exactly how to hurt the Red Devils. Here is what we learned from this goalless draw.
Man United Knew What To Do Defensively
Ten Hag’s side set up to be ultra-defensive, aiming to limit Liverpool’s chances – and they succeeded. The defensive effort wasn’t just about the backline, though; it was the whole team working as a unit. Everyone contributed to shutting Liverpool down, with countless blocks, tackles, and interceptions keeping them at bay. Klopp’s team were frustrated and out of ideas. They may have had 34 shots in these 90 minutes, but they barely had a single real opportunity. That speaks volumes about how solid the Devils were at the back. In fact, Onana had to make just two saves, showing just how well United managed to redirect Liverpool to taking poor shots. But there were honorable mentions from players further up field, like Garnacho and Antony helping out with their work rate. They were relentless in tracking back, which proved to be vital on several occasions. From the back four, Varane and Dalot, especially, showed how much those key challenges meant to them. Their passion and leadership lifted the entire team, and United deservedly kept a clean sheet at Anfield.
McTominay Struggles Further Up The Pitch
Despite netting five Premier League goals for Manchester United this season, Scott McTominay once again found himself struggling to make an impact, largely outshone by his 18-year-old midfield partner, Kobbie Mainoo, who displayed far more composure on the ball. McTominay, surprisingly handed the captain’s armband, couldn’t live up to the expectations that came with the decision. Many questioned Ten Hag’s choice when the team sheet was released an hour before kick-off, and McTominay’s performance did little to vindicate it. With key playmakers like Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, and Christian Eriksen unavailable, McTominay was pushed further up the pitch in hopes of capitalising on his late runs into the box. However, the Scotsman barely got involved in the game. He was not a threat to Liverpool in any sense, who seemed to have limited the Scot’s role in this match with ease.
Ten Hag Gets The Result At A Crucial Time
The match seemed poised to be Erik ten Hag’s final one in charge of Manchester United, but a 0-0 draw has temporarily saved his tenure. Despite avoiding defeat, United’s performance was far from impressive. Liverpool’s inefficiency in the final third made United appear stronger defensively, but they offered little going forward. Rasmus Hojlund had the best chance, but his effort went straight at Alisson, much to Ten Hag’s frustration. The result leaves United seventh, six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, easing immediate pressure on Ten Hag. However, whether fans will accept these uninspiring performances is another matter. Next week, United face West Ham at the London Stadium, where they must use this result as a foundation for improvement.
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