Marcus Rashford (right) celebrates against Liverpool
Not on Saturday. If they taught Liverpool a lesson about the importance of good defending, there was a moral for Jose Mourinho. The best things in life can be free.
It was fitting United’s 200th meeting with Liverpool was decided by a local. It was telling that the Mancunian matchwinner was Marcus Rashford. He had been marginalised since Alexis Sanchez joined. He had only played 97 minutes of Premier League football in 2018. He delivered his first top-flight double for two years.
It was doubly welcome. For Mourinho, who recorded just a second win over Jurgen Klopp, and for the watching England boss Gareth Southgate.
This showed how devastating Rashford can be. He inflicted just Liverpool’s second defeat in 21 league games. He probably meant that United, five points clear of the Merseysiders, will finish as the best of the rest, way behind Manchester City. “Perfect result,” grinned Mourinho.
But Rashford probably owed his places to others’ injuries. No Paul Pogba? No problem. No Anthony Martial? No matter. Sanchez may have had his best game for United. He was still upstaged by Rashford. Romelu Lukaku proved his expensive assistant, playing a part in both goals. But Rashford was unleashed and unstoppable. “We thought Marcus’ speed would be important,” said Mourinho. It was.
“He scored two goals in a big match against a top-class opponent,” added his manager. “He was fundamental. The good thing was first chance he had, he scored. That was not happening for him in the last few months and he was feeling that a bit in terms of his self-confidence.”
He should be buoyed now. The path to goal was route one. Both of Rashford’s strikes stemmed from David de Gea’s punts forward. Both showed Lukaku’s aerial ability. Mourinho’s tactics bypassed the world’s most expensive centre-back, Virgil van Dijk. Lukaku bullied Dejan Lovren instead. “Lukaku was confident from experience that could be dominant towards Lovren,” Mourinho said.
The Belgian had described himself as Mourinho’s “sergeant”. He laid down the law to Lovren. Far from the gentle giant he used to be, he looked like the of menacing, intimidating target man Didier Drogba was for Mourinho’s Chelsea. Signed to be a scorer of goals, Lukaku is a supplier as well.
The opener was his seventh assist of the Premier League campaign. It is a personal best.
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Marcus Rashford put in a man of the match display
And for that first goal, Lovren did not even jump as the Man United top scorer won a flick-on. Rashford accelerated into space, skipped past Trent Alexander-Arnold and defeated Loris Karius with an unstoppable shot.
For the second, Lukaku won the ball, tried to find Juan Mata and while Virgil van Dijk got a block in, the ball fell to Rashford, whose low shot flicked off Alexander-Arnold. “We have to defend these two situations better,” said Klopp. “The two goals made the game not easy.”
If Rashford won the battle of the kids, it was a tough day for a newcomer with Old Trafford connections. Alexander-Arnold is the nephew of United’s former club secretary John Alexander. He endured a torrid time. Sanchez chipped a cross over him when United could have sealed victory before the break.
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Jose Mourinho had the last laugh over Jurgen Klopp at Old Trafford
Instead Juan Mata’s acrobatic overhead kick flew just wide. “That would be amazing,” said Mourinho.
Instead, it led to a nervy ending. Liverpool were denied a penalty when Andrew Robertson’s cross hit Antonio Valencia’s left hand. Klopp claimed another when Marouane Fellaini blocked off Sadio Mane.
And while one £75 million man set up a goal, another could have scored one. Van Dijk had two chances. He missed the target with both. Instead, the centre-back to score for Liverpool was Eric Bailly. He had been commanding on his first start for four months. “Fantastic performance,” said Mourinho.
Manchester United's Lukaku poses in the 'Matic Lounge'
Then, somehow, the United defender contrived to turn Mane’s cross past De Gea. “Amazing goal,” joked his manager.
It didn’t cost his side. Ashley Young was outstanding in keeping Mohamed Salah quiet. Fellaini came on to cause havoc. United dropped deep, invited Liverpool forward but defended doggedly. Klopp’s men created few chances. “You can be in control without having the ball, you can be in trouble when you have the ball,” said Mourinho.
“We can split the halves - United first half and Liverpool second - but our first half was a half with goals and danger.” And Rashford was the danger man.