Man Utd beat Liverpool to secure Champions League place

TL;DR

Manchester United defeated Liverpool 3-2 to secure a Champions League spot for next season. Kobbie Mainoo's late goal sealed the victory after United initially led 2-0.

Key points

Manchester United beat Liverpool 3-2
Kobbie Mainoo scored the winning goal
United secured Champions League football for next season
This marks United's first league double over Liverpool since 2015-16
Michael Carrick's management has led to significant improvements

Mentioned in this story

Michael Carrick

Manchester UnitedLiverpool

Kobbie Mainoo earned Man Utd victory over Liverpool (Darren Staples) (Darren Staples/AFP/AFP) Manchester United secured Champions League football next season as Kobbie Mainoo's strike earned a thrilling 3-2 victory over old rivals Liverpool on Sunday. United were 2-0 up inside 15 minutes through Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, but imploded after the break to allow Arne Slot's men to level with goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo before Mainoo secured the win. A return to Europe's elite competition after a two-year absence and another big game win furthers Michael Carrick's case to continue as United boss next season. Mainoo has embodied the upturn in United's fortunes since Carrick took charge in January. Overlooked by Ruben Amorim, the England midfielder earned a new five-year contract this week and celebrated in style with a cool finish from the edge of the box to edge a wild encounter. Third-placed United open up a six-point lead over Liverpool and are guaranteed to finish in the top five. Despite an 11th league defeat of the season, Liverpool likely need only three points from their three remaining games to also secure a place in the Champions League. Slot's side arrived at Old Trafford depleted without the forward trio of Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and through injury. United sensed blood and were well worthy of their early two-goal lead. Cunha was afforded two chances to find his range from the edge of the box to open the scoring. The Brazilian's strike flicked off Alexis MacAllister to give Liverpool's third-choice goalkeeper no chance. The waves of United attack kept coming and Sesko appealed for a penalty after failing to beat Woodman from ' precise pass. Seconds later the Slovenian bundled the ball over the line from Fernandes' header back across goal. Fernandes was inches away from a third when he blasted 's cross wide. But the warning signs of what was to come in the second half for United were also there before the break. Gakpo curled wide on one of the many occasions Liverpool were able to pierce the heart of the Red Devils' midfield. Sesko was replaced by at half-time and the Ivorian almost immediately gifted Liverpool a route back into the game. Szoboszlai pounced on Amad's loose pass and ran from inside his own half unopposed before slotting into the bottom corner. United were architects of their own downfall again for the equaliser. This time goalkeeper ' pass was picked off by , who fed Szoboszlai and the Hungarian coolly teed up Gakpo for a tap in. The unusually low stakes for a game between these clubs showed as both threw caution to the wind in search of a winner. The home side got it when a poor clearance from MacAllister broke kindly for the charging Mainoo to steer into the bottom corner. United's first league double over Liverpool since the 2015-16 season completes a remarkable turnaround in the two sides' fortunes from a year ago. Liverpool finished 14 places and 42 points ahead of their rivals on their way to equalling United's record of 20 English top-flight titles last season. Carrick has also beaten , and in his short reign and now delivered his primary goal with the riches of the Champions League to make his case hard to ignore. kca/gj

Q&A

How did Manchester United secure their Champions League spot?

Manchester United secured their Champions League spot by defeating Liverpool 3-2, with Kobbie Mainoo scoring the decisive goal.

What was the final score of the Manchester United vs Liverpool match?

The final score was Manchester United 3, Liverpool 2.

Who scored the goals for Manchester United in the match against Liverpool?

Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Kobbie Mainoo scored the goals for Manchester United.

What does this victory mean for Manchester United's manager Michael Carrick?

This victory strengthens Michael Carrick's case to continue as Manchester United's manager next season, having achieved a return to the Champions League.