Manchester United vs Liverpool player ratings: Luke Shaw stars, Mohamed Salah struggles
In a tight and tactical second half neither side could break the deadlock
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Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool failed to capitalise on Manchester United’s extraordinary string of injury setbacks but Sunday’s intense goalless draw was enough to see Jurgen Klopp’s men return to the Premier League summit.
The latest battle between English football’s two most successful clubs was a typically tense affair as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s in-form side looked to bolster their top-four chances and give their title-chasing rivals a bloody nose.
United’s trio of first-half injuries gave Liverpool the upper hand, yet the visitors failed to exploit those issues and had to make do with a 0-0 draw that puts them a point ahead of Manchester City and in control of the title race.
Klopp’s men made the short journey to Old Trafford looking to do the double over United, but Solskjaer’s team are a far cry from the side so easily overcome 3-1 at Anfield in what proved to be Jose Mourinho’s final match.
Solskjaer has helped resurgent United go unbeaten domestically since that December loss and the caretaker manager may well be wondering what could have been.
Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and his replacement Jesse Lingard were forced off in a stop-start opening period. Roberto Firmino also limped off in the first half and Liverpool failed to kick on without him.
Player ratings
Manchester United
David de Gea – 6
Had very little to do, with Liverpool mustering just one shot on target.
Ashley Young – 7
Not as impressive as Shaw on the other flank but still largely limited Mané’s attacking potential.
Chris Smalling – 8
Picked up from where he left off against Chelsea. Now appears to be Solskjaer’s first-choice partner for Lindelof.
Victor Lindelof – 8
Alongside Smalling, dealt with almost everything Liverpool threw at him. Helped Shaw with Salah when required.
Luke Shaw – 9
One of his best displays in a United shirt. Shut down Salah, to the point where the Liverpool winger had to be substituted.
Scott McTominay – 7
A surprise selection at the base of midfield but coped well as Liverpool failed to exploit his relative inexperience.
Ander Herrera – N/A
His usual tenacious self until he was substituted early on with a muscle problem.
Paul Pogba – 7
Looked the likeliest United player to create something, though did not hit the heights of his recent displays.
Juan Mata – N/A
Another who departed early, without much opportunity to make an impression.
Romelu Lukaku – 6
Fine pass to play Lingard through first half but otherwise offered little and failed to make his presence felt against Robertson on the left.
Marcus Rashford – 6
Clearly felt the effects of an early challenge by Henderson but soldiered on, threatening in glimpses on the break.
Substitutes
Andreas Pereira – 7
Replaced Herrera. Put recent poor displays behind him with a tidy performance at short notice, having not even had time to warm up.
Jesse Lingard – N/A
Replaced Mata and then went off injured himself. Had United’s best chance in his 17 minutes on the field but was smothered by Alisson.
Alexis Sanchez – 6
Introduced late on in the first half but ineffective.
Liverpool
Alisson – 8
Rushed off his line brilliantly to prevent Lingard from scoring and did well when coming to collect aerial balls.
James Milner – 6
Preferred at right-back over Trent Alexander-Arnold with mixed results. Did not offer as much going forward as the youngster.
Joel Matip – 7
Largely repaid Klopp’s trust to start in the centre of defence and even ventured forward on occasion, carrying the ball into dangerous areas.
Virgil van Dijk – 8
Won crucial aerial battles and interceptions. Blocked a goal-bound Pogba effort in the first half.
Andy Robertson – 6
Struggled to break out from left-back and overlap in the way he usually does, though managed Lukaku well.
Fabinho – 7
Switched play and bypassed United’s midfield with several impressive passes in the first half but could not make one count.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 7
Busy and went close with a second-half header, but did not bring the invention required to Liverpool’s midfield.
Jordan Henderson – 6
Battled well in midfield but did not influence Liverpool’s attacking play enough. Replaced by Xherdan Shaqiri late on.
Mohamed Salah – 5
A forgettable afternoon at Old Trafford for the Egyptian, a year on from being shut out of the game by Young.
Roberto Firmino – N/A
The best of Liverpool’s front three until he departed on the half hour mark after rolling his ankle awkwardly.
Sadio Mané – 5
A fitful performance, only threatening in moments and sloppy in build-up play at times.
Substitutes
Daniel Sturridge – 6
Replaced Firmino. Had little influence on the game but did register Liverpool’s only shot on target.
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