Manchester United drew 2-2 with Liverpool at Old Trafford in the Premier League last Sunday. Although Erik ten Hag’s men managed to salvage a point from the fixture, it did not do enough to revive their chances of a top-four finish this season.

Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo scored for the Red Devils, while Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah did for the visitors. However, the Merseysiders were the more dominant team and would feel that they have dropped a couple of points on the day.

The defeat leaves Ten Hag’s men in the sixth position on the Premier League table, with 49 points from 31 matches. They are still 11 points adrift of fifth-placed Aston Villa. Here are the key takeaways from the Manchester United vs Liverpool game:

1. Liverpool Failed To Transform Their Dominance In The First Half Into A Big Lead

Liverpool were easily the dominant team in the first half, having as many as 15 attempts, while Manchester United managed none. However, the Reds’ profligacy in the final-third meant that they failed to score from open play. Their only goal in the half came from a corner. Salah was off-color on the day and missed a few easy chances.

The visitors took shots at the opposition goal from the edge of the penalty box repeatedly. However, Andre Onana came up with a few quality saves to deny them. They had some quick build-ups with Alexis Mac Allister playing his part with some quick passes.

Andrew Robertson and Luis Diaz kept the pressure on Aaron Wan-Bissaka throughout the first half with their speedy runs through the left flank. The Red Devils, on the other hand, relied on their usual tactic of playing long balls to a below-par Marcus Rashford. Alejandro Garnacho, who started on the right flank, failed to make much of an impact.

2. Manchester United Played More Attacking Football In The Second Half

The Red Devils were more aggressive in their approach in the second half, as Fernandes and Mainoo scored a couple of wonderful goals. The 18-year-old Mainoo caught the eyes once again with a superb finish with his right foot. At the moment, he seems to be too good an attacking player to spend his entire career as a holding midfielder.

However, Liverpool substitute Harvey Elliott then tried to cut into the penalty box through the inside-right channel, something the Reds had not tried to do often prior to that and earned the visitors a penalty. Salah converted the penalty to equalise for the Reds.

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3. Tough Match Against Newcastle United Coming Up

Manchester United will go up against Bournemouth and Newcastle United in their next two Premier League matches. While the Cherries should not pose much of a threat, the game against the Magpies might prove to be a tricky one.

The Red Devils will have to get at least 17-18 points from their next seven matches to give themselves a hint of a chance to finish inside the top-four. However, even that might not prove to be enough for Erik ten Hag’s men, who look destined to be without participation in the UEFA Champions League next season.

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