Like always, there was a lot on the line when Manchester United welcomed their old rivals Liverpool to Old Trafford on Sunday.
Fans got a taste of what they were going to witness from this Premier League heavyweight showdown when Erik ten Hag’s side recorded a 4-3 win in the FA Cup last month.
That was one of the great games this fixture has produced and they didn’t disappoint again, with Manchester United somehow walking away with a point after a pulsating 2-2 draw.
Like Manchester United fans have seen time and time again. They just can’t stop conceding chances or shots at their goal.
You just have to question how Liverpool didn’t score more than two goals, which came via the boot of Luis Diaz from a set-piece and then a late penalty from Mohamed Salah because they will be kicking themselves.
Nemanja Vidic was critical about how that goal came about, from Diaz, via a corner, with the former centre-back critical of several senior players.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot were the ones under fire, as he told Premier League Productions (07/04/24 at 4:25 pm).
Vidic felt that Casemiro ‘should be taking responsibility’ as he wasn’t quick enough to stop the ball from being attacked by the Liverpool players, before the ball was flicked on by Darwin Nunez to Diaz, who got the better of Wan-Bissaka.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot’s defending
“You see Wan-Bissaka here with a player,” said Vidic. “You have five players in a line (zonal marking in front of the goal).
“You see Casemiro, he didn’t attack the ball. He should be taking the responsibility for that position. He is late, then obviously, Nunez gets the better of Wan-Bissaka.
“Then the mistake from Maguire and Dalot. They didn’t react well to the second ball. Three mistakes in one corner and it’s a goal.”
What next for Manchester United?
The way Man United are defending, they aren’t going anywhere quickly because they just can’t stop conceding chance after chance.
Liverpool had 28 efforts at Old Trafford, which has been the norm for ten Hag and his players for months and months now.
In truth, given how Man United have been playing, and the fact that they went behind, this is probably a very good point, from their regard.
All in all, it probably doesn’t do ten Hag’s future any good, with it looking less likely that his team will secure Champions League football at the end of the campaign.