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Manchester United travelled to Anfield to take on Liverpool in their first game of 2025.
The Red Devils started with Andre Onana in nets with a back three of Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire.
Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot started in the wing back positions while Manuel Ugarte returned to the midfield alongside Kobbie Mainoo.
Bruno Fernandes took back his starting role after his recent suspension with Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund starting up front alongside him.
Here are five things we learnt from the match.
United continue to keep ball well away from home under Ruben Amorim
Under Amorim’s rein United have struggled at numerous things but one aspect they have improved on is keeping possession, especially away from home.
In a 2-0 loss to Arsenal in North London, they kept 49% of the ball. While away to Manchester City, they had 48% of the ball.
In the first half against Liverpool, they maintained control of the ball 44% of the time and dominated the attacking play at times. This theme continued in the second half as United improved their possession to 47% for the game as they refused to retreat back into their shells like years gone by.
Results are ultimately what counts at the end of the day but this is proof that Amorim is getting his message across to the players at least in this way.
In theory, with more time on the training pitch and some key upgrades in vital positions on the pitch, United will hopefully have a sustainable plan moving forward on how to play away from home against the finest in England and Europe.
Rasmus Hojlund isn’t ready yet
Hojlund clearly gives his all for the club he loves and has shown moments of magic as a United player.
Nonetheless, he is not ready to lead the line at Premier League level on a consistent basis. This makes sense as he is only 21 years old and had little first team experience before his big money move to Old Trafford in 2023.
He missed a huge chance in the first half when one-on-one with Allison Becker and frequently could not make the ball stick to alleviate pressure from his side.
There have been rumours that United are looking to do a deal for Victor Osimhen in the January window and have their eyes on Viktor Gyokeres in the summer.
United fans will lick their lips at the difference a player of that calibre could make to this United squad and system, especially in huge moments like today’s match.
Kobbie Mainoo-Manuel Ugarte is the best midfield duo United have
Mainoo and Ugarte as a partnership is far from perfect and lacks a certain creativity and guile in the passing department.
Over time, there is hardly a question that Amorim will try and upgrade it with his own players but there can be no doubt that it is currently United’s best bet for a midfield two.
Casemiro and Christian Eriksen were made to look like “mannequins” against Newcastle United, while Ugarte and Mainoo brought much more energy to Anfield.
It is unlikely that United can sign in the midfield in January with left wingback and a number nine a bigger priority, so it looks like Amorim will have the most success with these two young men in the midfield pivot until the summer at least.
United fail to hold onto a lead again
The Red Devils found themselves in front early in the second half after a great finish from Lisandro Martinez.
After working so hard to keep Liverpool to one shot on target until almost the hour mark, United conceded just seven minutes after taking the lead as Cody Gakpo slid through and fired in an equaliser.
To be fair, this is a problem that has existed at United for a very long time and will take significant work to be eradicated but it continues to happen over and over again where the side struggle to put their foot on the ball and maintain a lead.
United showed their fragility once more when they conceded a penalty shortly after to gift Liverpool a 2-1 lead in the match after all the hard work they had put in to get their noses in front in the first place.
Amad rises to the big occasion again
Amad may only be a youngster, but he has more big goals against United’s biggest rivals than most have in a career.
He scored the winning goal last year in additional time of extra time in the FA Cup against Liverpool and scored the winner at the Etihad last month.
The Ivorian slotted home a fine equaliser to add an Anfield goal to his ever-growing collection of big moments in a United shirt.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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