MANCHESTER UNITED 0, LIVERPOOL 0
Manchester United had the better chances to win the East Lancs derby but will be counting the cost of taking a point from title-chasing Liverpool at Old Trafford after losing four players to injury.
A limp performance at Anfield proved the end for former manager Jose Mourinho in December but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United survived a string of injuries before and during this game to hold off Jurgen Klopp’s side and had the stronger chances to win.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnited had to park the proverbial ambulance at times while they tried to regroup but had a Joel Matip own goal correctly ruled out for offside with 15 minutes to go as well as forcing Alisson into more saves than David De Gea had to make.
The United goalkeeper didn’t have much to do as he earned his 100th Premier League clean sheet – becoming only the 15th goalkeeper to achieve that feat and the 7th for a single club.
Injuries were the key to a subdued performance for both sides.
United had already lost Nemanja Matic to injury the day before the game.
Ander Herrera went off after 20 minutes while Juan Mata followed him off 5 minutes later and Mata’s replacement, Jesse Lingard, limped off too after a challenge with Alisson just before half time.
It was a sign of how far Fred’s star has fallen at Old Trafford that a half fit Lingard was brought on to replace Mata, with Alexis Sanchez coming on for Lingard after he had to go off minutes later.
And throughout all this, Marcus Rashford appeared to be nursing an ankle knock after being on the receiving end of some close Liverpool attention throughout the game.
Liverpool had the upper hand in terms of possession during the first half despite themselves losing a player to injury but failed to really test David De Gea.
Roberto Firmino was replaced by Daniel Sturridge after 31 minutes and Sturridge’s decision to take a shot from 40 yards out summed up Liverpool’s lack of imagination while they had United on the ropes.
A point proved to be a decent birthday present for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who turns 46 on Monday, and remains unbeaten domestically in 13 games (11 wins, 2 draws) since taking over at Old Trafford in late December.
Solksjaer made just two changes to the side that convincingly beat Chelsea in the FA Cup last Monday.
Scott McTominay started in midfield instead of Nemanja Matic who was injured in training yesterday.
David De Gea replaced Sergio Romero in the other change to the side.
And it was United who had the first shot on goal, with Marcus Rashford released after 7 minutes but scuffed his shot leaving the ball easy to collect for Alisson.
United kept the forward thinking Liverpool at bay until Ander Herrera blocked Joel Matip as he raced towards the area in the 16th minute. The free kick was conceded inside the D but Mo Salah lifted the ball over the bar.
Rashford had been struggling with an ankle knock since early in the game and Herrera went down too – the Spaniard walked straight off forlornly to the tunnel after 20 minutes.
Juan Mata went next, after 25 minutes, to be replaced by Jesse Lingard.
Even Liverpool got in on the act, with Roberto Firmino replaced by Daniel Sturridge after 31 minutes after going down off the ball.
United kept Liverpool at arms length, preventing realistic shots on De Gea’s goal while trying to react to the loss of two of their midfielders.
Their other midfielder – Paul Pogba – had at least forced a couple of corners out of their visitors with shots being headed away by Virgil Van Dijk.
Jesse Lingard was denied a shot on goal after trying to round Alisson when put clean through by Romelu Lukaku following a left wing cross by Pobga.
Lingard was down moments later and had to be replaced by Alexis Sanchez just before the break leaving an ailing Rashford having to navigate his way through the rest of the game.
And Sanchez’ looping cross from the left fell to Lukaku whose header was saved by Alisson.
Manchester United hold subdued Liverpool at bay and could have won it
United relied on set pieces and long passes by Ashley Young for a time after the break while Liverpool looked short of ideas.
Pogba’s header was straight at Alisson while Sanchez’ header was both wide and from an offside position as United tried to make the most of Young’s free kicks.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was so concerned he had already come pitch side with Mike Phelan as the midfield scrap started to drift to towards the goals.
Pogba slipped while crossing into the Liverpool box while Luke Shaw came across to dispossess Salah after Sturridge had poked the ball to him and Gini Wijnaldum blazed over the bar.
Klopp brought on Xherdan Shaqiri to try and break the deadlock with 18 minutes to go for Jordan Henderson.
But it was United who briefly thought they had scored when Luke Shaw’s 75th minute free kick was centred by Chris Smalling and put through his own net by Matip who was mightily relieved to see the flag go up for offside against Smalling.
Salah had had a forgettable game and was replaced by Divock Origi with 11 minutes to go.
And Lukaku’s delicious last minute cross along the 6 yard box was too far in front of Sanchez and Smalling as United finished strongly.
Liverpool may now be top of the league thanks to the point at Old Trafford – their first 0-0 at Old Trafford since October 1991 – but they looked incapable of getting all three points against the injury-hit Red Devils.
Liverpool’s poor run of form has left them with a fourth draw in their last five games (including a stalemate against Bayern Munich) but the door remains open for Manchester City to push them all the way for the title this season.
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 0, Liverpool 0
Man Utd: De Gea, Young (C), Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw, Herrera (Pereira 20), McTominay, Pogba, Mata (Lingard 25, Sanchez 43), Lukaku, Rashford
Man Utd Subs not used: Romero, Bailly, Dalot, Fred
Booked: Young 82 (Trip on Milner)
Liverpool: Alisson, Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson (C) (Shaqiri 72), Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Salah (Origi 79), Firmino (Sturridge 31), Mane
Liverpool Subs not used: Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Keita, Lallana
Booked: Milner 24 (trip on Paul Pogba), Shaqiri 83 (trip on Marcus Rashford), Wijnaldum 90
Attendance: 74,519