Manchester United and Liverpool played a dizzying derby at Old Trafford in a match of the fourth round of the FA Cup. The 206th edition of the big derby in England ended with a difficult victory for the Red devils with 3-2. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring in the 18th minute, but Mason Greenwood equalized in the 26th minute. In the 48th Marcus Rashford brought a complete turnaround. Salah’s second goal brought another draw in the 58th minute, but reserve Bruno Fernandes brought victory for United in the 78th minute.
Last week the two teams drew at Anfield in the Premier League, but today the match was at a completely different level. The victory solidified the rise of the Red devils, and despite the loss, Liverpool finally ended their goal drought from the last five matches and showed a much better play. The two teams played a fairly equal match, but in the end United proved to be more insistent in the search for success with which they will meet West Ham in the fifth round of the competition.
Despite the slight advantage for United at the start, Liverpool was the first to make a break. Wijnaldum exchanged passes with Roberto Firmino in the half of the Red Devils and the Brazilian made a great pass for Mohamed Salah in the penalty area. The Egyptian took the ball well and chipped it over Dean Henderson 0-1.
Manchester United managed to equalize quickly. In the 26th minute Pogba took from Firmino in front of the home team’s penalty area, after which the Frenchman was fouled, but Powson gave an advantage. The ball reached Marcus Rashford, who provided a great pass from deep for Mason Greenwood, the youngster entered the penalty area and with a nice shot in the far corner made Alisson helpless – 1-1.
The second part started without changes in both teams. Only three minutes were needed for United to bring a complete turnaround in the match. Cavani managed to overtake Tiago and passes to Greenwood, who gave a great ball to Rashford. Rhys Williams failed to clear and the striker left alone against advanced at speed against Alisson for 2-1.
Milner played with Firmino from the left on the edge of the penalty area, and the Brazilian sent a pass into the penalty area. The captain of the guests missed the ball for Salah with a nice shot between the legs of Handerson brought the game at draw again 2-2.
In the 78th minute, however, the effect of Burno Fernandes gave a result and United took the lead again. Fabinho committed a foul against Cavani in front of the penalty area and was awarded a direct free kick. Bruno took on the spot and with a great shot found Alisson unprepared, as he could have been positioned a little better – 3-2.
Next week both teams will play in the Premier League. On Wednesday, the Red Devils host Sheffield United, and a day later Liverpool have another difficult visit – to Tottenham, as the champions will try to stop their negative series of five consecutive games without a victory in the championship.
