Man Utd verify Champions League in Liverpool win as Sir Alex Ferguson taken to hospital
Manchester United have confirmed their return to the Champions League for the 2026/2027 as they completed a double over Liverpool on a day where Sir Alex Ferguson was taken to hospital
Kobbie Mainoo scored Manchester United’s winner against Liverpool(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United are back in the Champions League after victory over Liverpool.
Michael Carrick’s side got off to the perfect start thanks to Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha’s goals before Liverpool turned the tide in the second half to draw level. But the derby was won by one of Manchester’s own – Kobbie Mainoo.
The biggest game in English football promised so much with both sides looking to secure their Champions League spots and third place in the table by earning bragging rights. United started the day in 3rd, three points ahead of Liverpool and Aston Villa, who play Tottenham later on Sunday at Villa Park.
It was also a rare occasion with a Liverpool manager under pressure and a Manchester United boss in a positive step as Arne Slot and Michael Carrick’s respective positions could not have looked any different.
While the Dutchman is fighting to keep his job, Carrick is looking to land the United position full time having impressed in his caretaker role since replacing the disastrous Ruben Amorim.
But it was legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson who was a cause for concern before kick-off after the Scot was taken unwell at the stadium. Ferguson, 86, was taken to hospital via ambulance, reportedly as a precaution and it is hoped he can recover at home soon.
And the hosts got off to the perfect start when Matheus Cunha’s volleyed effort into the ground found the far corner, out of the reach of Freddie Woodman, after just six minutes. Just like we’ve seen on so many occasions this season, United flew out of the traps at home.
That front footed approach brought a second goal in the 14th minute when Benjamin Sesko turned the ball over the line after Woodman had parried Bruno Fernandes’ header into the Slovenian’s midriff.
The goal was not without controversy as the ball potentially flicked off the fingernail of Sesko before bouncing into the net. VAR didn’t disallow the goal, concluding that there was not sufficient evidence for the decision to be overruled.
Just like against Brentford on Monday, United held a 2-0 lead at half-time, but in very different circumstances. Unlike against Keith Andrews’ side, where the Bees had the clear cut-chances of the half, Liverpool were reduced to speculative shots from distance. Roy Keane didn’t mince his words at half-time, saying Liverpool looked like a “bad six-a-side team.”
However, Carrick decided to go to his bench at half-time again. While the change to a more defensive system against Brentford saw them nervously see through the three points, it had completely the wrong impact against Liverpool.
Amad Diallo replaced Sesko at half-time, for a reason that could only be that the Slovenian was carrying a slight injury. As a tactical change, it made no sense with the big striker on form and United’s frontline linking up brilliantly on the counter-attack.
But Amad’s introduction cost the hosts dearly immediately after the break as he gave the ball away on the halfway line, seeing Dominik Szoboszlai break away and run into the box, where he slotted across Senne Lammens to cut the deficit.
The second 45 was a stark contrast to the first. Liverpool were the side buoyed by Amad’s dreadful introduction and were soon gifted an equaliser when Lammens misplaced a pass from a goal kick straight to Alexis Mac Allister.
Mac Allister latched onto the ball and played a pass into the feet of Szoboszlai, who squared the ball to Cody Gakpo to tap into an empty net.
Liverpool were the side in the ascendancy and continued to break clear of United at will – completely turning the tide from the first-half.
But in a game that twisted and turned, United hit the front again when Kobbie Mainoo, fresh off signing a new five-year contract in midweek, fired a side-footed effort into the far bottom corner, capitalising on a poor clearance from Mac Allister.
Having been at fault for Liverpool’s first goal, Amad finally got up to speed by producing the cross that forced the Argentine’s fluffed clearance.
