Manchester United have somehow pulled it out of the bag again!
It probably feels a lot better that it’s happened against Liverpool again because they had to fight and claw their way to a 2-2 draw on Sunday at Old Trafford.
Going by the first-half showing, Erik ten Hag will be wondering how his team weren’t losing by more than one goal.
But Liverpool’s inability to be ruthless in front of goal cost them big time, especially dropping valuable points in the Premier League title race.
Like Manchester United proved in the FA Cup, if you don’t punish this open and struggling defence, then the team will eventually hurt you back.
Jarell Quansah provided that gift at the start of the second half, although Nemanja Vidic praised him, when his wayward pass fell into the path of Bruno Fernandes.
Even though he was 40-odd yards out, the £47 million signing still struck the ball from distance, with with Caoimhin Kelleher well off his line, to equalise for his team.
That was Manchester United’s first effort on goal and a game-changing moment because it turned the tide of the whole match.
Wayne Rooney knows a thing or two about scoring long-distance goals and he felt that Fernandes’ effort was ‘incredible’, as he told Premier League Productions (07/04/24 at 5:35 pm).
The legendary striker added how it was such a ‘hard skill’ and a ‘difficult technique’ to pull off from the Manchester United captain.
Yes, Mohamed Salah ended up scoring a late equaliser via the penalty spot, but that Fernandes effort ensured his team stayed in the fight.
Bruno Fernandes’ goal v Liverpool
“It’s great,” said Rooney. “The keeper is a bit fortunate, he didn’t get a hand on the ball and didn’t get a red card.
“The technique, he almost stabs it in. Just put the right amount of spin and elevation to get it over the keeper. A fantastic finish.
“If it comes from the other side, you can put a bit of curl on it. It’s easier to do it that way, well for some of us! That’s such a difficult technique to do and keep the control on it. Such a hard skill when the ball is coming across you, so it’s an incredible finish.”
Manchester United’s defending
Two goals against Liverpool. Three goals in midweek against Chelsea. Man United have scored five goals in the space of a few days and only walked away with a point.
They can’t argue against anything because it has all been deserved because of their defending.
You can look at the individuals all you want, but when the team is so open, alarm bells have to ring.
The manager needs to take responsibility because, with or without injuries, these abject defensive displays have been happening for months and months now.
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