Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Manchester United handed bitter rivals Liverpool their fourth consecutive defeat with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday, in a result that further clouds the Reds’ early-season ambitions.
In a match defined by grit, missed chances, and late drama, United capitalized on key moments to secure all three points. Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring just two minutes into the game, while Harry Maguire headed in the winner in the 84th minute to send the home crowd into raptures. Cody Gakpo offered Liverpool a brief lifeline with an equalizer in the 78th minute, but it proved short-lived.
A Fast Start and a Late Finish
The match kicked off in electric fashion when United struck inside the opening two minutes. A quick exchange down the flank saw Mbeumo find space in the box, slotting the ball past Alisson with calm precision. The early goal set the tone for a high-intensity affair.
Liverpool, desperate to reverse their recent slump, dominated large spells of possession and crafted several chances most notably through Gakpo and Mohamed Salah but poor finishing and bad luck plagued their efforts throughout the match.
Despite hitting the woodwork twice, Gakpo finally found the net in the 78th minute, finishing off a well-worked move that sparked hope for a comeback. But United, showing renewed composure and resilience, restored their lead just six minutes later when captain Harry Maguire rose highest from a corner to head home what would be the decisive goal.
Salah Misfires, United Holds Firm
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s talisman, endured a frustrating afternoon. He squandered multiple clear-cut opportunities and was denied by fine goalkeeping and the frame of the goal. His lack of sharpness in front of goal mirrored a broader malaise across Liverpool’s attack in recent weeks.
United, meanwhile, showed a different edge under mounting pressure. The midfield held firm, and the backline led by Maguire withstood a late onslaught from the visitors. Andre Onana made several key saves to preserve the lead in the closing minutes.
What the Result Means
The defeat leaves Liverpool stalled in fourth place in the Premier League table with 15 points from eight games. Jürgen Klopp’s men have now lost three straight matches, raising questions about their defensive stability and attacking ruthlessness.
They have scored 14 goals and conceded 11 so far this season figures that reflect a team struggling to find balance. With fan frustration mounting, Klopp will be under pressure to turn things around quickly.
Manchester United, on the other hand, climb to ninth in the table with 13 points. Erik ten Hag’s side now boasts four wins from eight matches, alongside one draw and three defeats. While consistency remains an issue, the victory over Liverpool will be seen as a major boost in morale and a potential turning point in their campaign.
Looking Ahead
For Liverpool, the international break cannot come soon enough. It offers Klopp and his players a chance to regroup, refocus, and address the mounting concerns around form and fitness. With key fixtures looming, the next few weeks could prove decisive in shaping their season.
Manchester United will be buoyed by the win and will hope to carry the momentum into their upcoming fixtures. Questions still linger about their long-term consistency, but beating a top-four rival may give the squad and supporters renewed belief.
Match Stats:
Manchester United 2–1 Liverpool
Goals:
- Bryan Mbeumo (2′)
- Cody Gakpo (78′)
- Harry Maguire (84′)
Possession:
- Liverpool 61%
- Manchester United 39%
Shots on Target:
- Liverpool 7
- Manchester United 4
Corners:
- Liverpool 9
- Manchester United 3
Man of the Match: Harry Maguire – Led from the back and scored the decisive winner.
