Man United edge Liverpool to book Champions League place
Manchester United recorded a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday to qualify for the Champions League next season.
The Red Devils sealed a return to the competition for the first time since the 2022-23 season following a stunning performance at home.
Michael Carrick’s team defeated Liverpool home and away for the first time since 2016.
The hosts raced to a 2-0 lead in the first 14 minutes thanks to goals from Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko.
Liverpool struggled to profer solutions to the questions posed by Manchester United, failing to find their feet in the opening half.
The visitors came out for the second half with intent and purpose as Dominik Szoboszlai produced a brilliant individual moment to reduce the deficit in the 47th minute.
Nine minutes later, Cody Gakpo restored parity for Liverpool following a mistake from Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
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Kobbie Mainoo scored the winning goal with a tidy finish outside the box in the 77th minute to mark a remarkable week on and off the pitch after signing a new contract on Wednesday.
The win was enough to book Manchester United’s place in the Champions League next season with the Red Devils firmly occupying the third position with 64 points.
They are six points clear of fourth-placed Liverpool with three matches remaining.
Matchwinner Kobbie Mainoo was impressed with the team’s performance, praising the manager and his teammates for the victory.
He said: One hundred per cent [remarkable turnaround]. To turn it around the way we have done, it’s a credit to the players and the manager. We are just looking forward and still need to finish the season strong. We want to just keep on winning and winning.”
Mainoo lost his place in the team under Ruben Amorim in the first half of the season but he has been a key player since Michael Carrick took over.
He described the period under Amorim as difficult while showering praises on Carrick.
Mainoo said: “It was difficult, of course, any time you’re not playing football.
“I just tried to look forward as much as possible, keep working hard and keep my head down to get these things from it.
On Carrick’s impact: “It’s clearly a huge part. The confidence in not just me but all the players. You want to follow him and fight for him. That’s what we showed today.”
Manchester United will resume Premier League action against Sunderland next Saturday Liverpool will host Chelsea at Anfield on the same day.
Top Stats From Manchester United Vs Liverpool
Bruno Fernandes has created 5+ chances in 14 different Premier League games in 2025-26. On record since 2003-04, only Mesut Özil has done so more often in a season (15 times in 2015-16).
Michael Carrick is only the sixth manager – and first English manager – to win 8+ of his opening 9 home games in the Premier League, and first since Antonio Conte in 2016-17 (also 8/9).
Since Ruben Amorim departed as Manchester United manager, no player has scored more Premier League goals than Benjamin Sesko (9 goals).
Liverpool have conceded 17 goals from set-piece situations (excl. penalties) in the Premier League this season – now their most ever in a single campaign in the competition, overtaking 16 in 1992-93.
10 + 10 – Only three Premier League players have both scored and assisted 10+ goals in all competitions this season:
Dominik Szoboszlai (13G 10A)
Rayan Cherki (10G 14A)
Jarrod Bowen (10G 11A)
