In a thrilling 3-2 Premier League victory over rivals Liverpool on Sunday, Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo scored late to guarantee the home team’s return to the Champions League for the upcoming campaign following a two-year hiatus.
After costly United mistakes, Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo had pulled Liverpool level in the second half, but Mainoo’s goal from the edge of the 18-yard box in the 77th minute gave Old Trafford the victory.
With three games left, the victory put third-place United on 64 points, while fourth-place Liverpool is tied with fifth-place Aston Villa on 58 points and still has work to do to secure a spot among Europe’s top teams for the upcoming campaign. Matheus Cunha gave United a fantastic start in the sixth minute, and eight minutes later, Benjamin Sesko doubled the lead.
After Amad Diallo gave the ball away on the halfway line in the 47th minute, Szoboszlai pulled one back. Nine minutes later, Gakpo tied the score when Senne Lammens passed the ball directly to Alexis Mac Allister. Gakpo then slotted into the open net, setting up a tense finish that was broken up by Mainoo’s heroics.
Soccer – Late goal by Mainoo lifts Manchester United
Three days after the 21-year-old United academy product, who had been benched earlier in the season by former manager Ruben Amorim, signed a new five-year contract with the team, Mainoo emerged victorious.
Since interim manager Michael Carrick took over, the midfield player has started 13 of 14 league games, missing one due to injury. “I’ve not been around the goals too much but I’m happy to be around it on such a massive occasion,” said Mainoo.
When Fernandes grabbed a pass from Mbeumo late in the first half, United was on the verge of taking a 3-0 lead, but the Portuguese player’s effort went just wide. Arne Slot, the manager of Liverpool, expressed his annoyance at his team’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.
“I wouldn’t say concern is the right word, but I’m completely aware of the fact that we need three points,” he replied. “Even though we didn’t deserve these points, that’s why I was so irritated that we didn’t pick them up today. If you are coming back after losing 2-0, you should at least leave with a result, which we didn’t.”
