By Kabs Kanu
“Never-say- die” MANCHESTER United clambered from the canvas back to absolute greatness , with an awesome performance that saw them do the impossible by beating their conquerors, Liverpool 2-1 in a soccer classic tonight at Old Trafford.
It was a performance conjured from Houdini’s magic box after United started the season badly by losing their first two matches to lightweight opponents Brentford and Brighton. Nobody in his right senses had even expected United to survive another humbling defeat, not to mention force a draw.
But United came back from the dead with a marvelous display and two goals of magnificent beauty that left everybody gaping in disbelief. United have not played this brand of brilliant football for a long time. .
The defence, without the sloppy Harry McGuire, was well marshalled by a fearless Luis Martinez and Verane and a once loose midfield saw a transformative display from Erikson and Mactominey. Upfront, Jason Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Elanga and Fernandez showed a hunger for goals that has not been evident from United forwards for a long spell.
Liverpool, who have been dominant in England and Europe, controlled the game before halftime and in the second half, but United remained a solid and cohesive side and even when Liverpool pulled one goal back, they were able to hold on and even survive a nervy 5-minute stoppage time, hinting at better times to come.
United ‘s first goal in the first half was a trademark beauty, the players moving the ball with intrinsic accuracy until it got to Sancho who controlled it, found space for himself and thrashed it into the net.
The second goal in the second half came from a lovely through ball to Rashford who kept a cool head and steered it beyond the onrushing goalkeeper. If Rashford had done the same on two more occasions, could have scored two more goals.
Liverpool found their only goal from a corner kick that was not dealt with well by the United defence and after goalkeeper De Gea pushed out a shot, Mohamed Salah was well placed to beat him with a header.
The goal set the stage for a grandstand finish, with Liverpool on the attack and pressing for an equalizer that eluded them, leaving United supporters in Dreamland. It was their first victory over their bitterest rivals in English football since 2018.
