Rohan Sengupta
Marcus Rashford scored twice as Manchester United beat fierce rivals Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday to tighten their grip on the second spot in the Premier League.
The young forward stunned Liverpool with two early goals as Jurgen Klopp’s defence had no answer in the first-half. Eric Bailly’s own goal in the 66th minute set up a potential eye-catching finish, but for all the pressure, Liverpool created very less in the second-half as David De Gea went relatively untested.
The result leaves United five points clear of third-placed Liverpool and boosts both Tottenham and Chelsea’s chances of a better finish.
While Rashford produced one of his better performances of the season, Liverpool’s front-three failed to reach their levels. Mohamed Salah, in particular, was completely nullified by Ashley Young, while Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane were ineffective and never really threatened the United defence.
United gave the visitors the opportunity to take control of the game but struck first through our golden boy, Rashford. Romelu Lukaku proved his real quality as a powerful front man when he headed Gea’s goal-kick into Rashford’s path in the 14th minute.
The 20-year-old, quick as a flash, turned past right-back Trent-Alexander Arnold and powered a right-footed low drive past goalkeeper Loris Karius.
The hosts added to Liverpool’s misery as Lukaku’s sheer strength proved vital as he played on Juan Mata, whose control was mistimed and fell into Rashford’s path, who fired in low with his right foot.
In the second-half, Liverpool unleashed a storm on United. We defended heroically and broke the play whenever required but the visitors’ pressure finally paid off.
Mane isolated McTominay and got down the left to cross where Bailly managed to back-heel the ball inside De Gea’s near post. The goal gave Liverpool real hope and they bombarded more attacks but to no avail as Jose Mourinho’s men held on to three crucial points.
Buzzing with the 2-1 victory, here we bring you the reaction from our fanbase.
BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER!!!!!!
— JM (@Mourinholic) March 10, 2018
The amount of stress this club gives me. My god.
— #ALEXIS7 (@a7exis_mufc) March 10, 2018
— Luke 🔴 (Was @FosuMadness) (@FosuMensahSZN) March 10, 2018
Rashford’s heat map from today’s game pic.twitter.com/eVLPaW9Ybl
— Scholesy18 (@18GingerNinja) March 10, 2018
YESSS LADSSS I LOVE THIS GAME
— THE POWER MUFC 🇾🇪 (@EamonnPower23) March 10, 2018
Rashford > Salah + Mane + Firmino
Oh, We’re still second by the way#BestOfTheRest— Mithilesh Palegar (@palegar) March 10, 2018
Last few minutes were intense. Please stop giving us anxiety attacks 😥😥😥😥😥
— sᴀғᴀ ɪᴍᴛɪᴀᴢ ᴀʟɪ (@iLadyUnited) March 10, 2018
Beat Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs at OT, beat Arsenal away and earned a point at Anfield, not bad for a bus parking, struggles in big games United team…#MUFC #MUNLIV 🔴⚫️⚪️
— Ryan Benjamin (@Ryan_Benjamin) March 10, 2018
soo proud…manchester united my team pic.twitter.com/3JlHFMPczH
— Monty Ken (@MontyKen2) March 10, 2018
I love this club
— Cal (@Romelu9i) March 10, 2018
Fantastic result, get in REDS!!! Absolutely superb! Great win! A win that we can all be proud of, even Sir Alex!! Get in! #MUFC #MUNLIV #MUFCvLFC200 ⚽🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴
— Drew Kendall (@drewney2000) March 10, 2018
