Arch-rivals Liverpool fought back from a two-goal deficit before Koby Mainu’s late goal sealed a thrilling victory.
Manchester United qualified for next season’s Champions League with a thrilling 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Liverpool thanks to a goal from Koby Mainu.
On Sunday, United took a 2-0 lead within the first 15 minutes thanks to performances from Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesco, but Mainu sealed victory after Arne Slott’s side equalized after goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Kodi Gakpo.
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Michael Carrick’s return to Europe’s elite competition after a two-year absence and another big game win have raised the possibility that Michael Carrick will continue as United manager next season.
Mainoo has been the embodiment of United’s turnaround in fortunes since Carrick took over as manager in January.
The England midfielder, watched over by manager Ruben Amorim, celebrated in style this week after winning a new five-year contract and winning a hard-fought encounter with a calm finish from the edge of the box.
Third place United have increased their lead over Liverpool to six points, ensuring they will finish within the top five.
Despite suffering their 11th league defeat this season, Liverpool are likely to need just three points from their remaining three games to qualify for the Champions League.
Slott’s side arrived at Old Trafford depleted and without their front trio of Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak due to injury.
United were bloodied but their early two-goal lead was well deserved.
Cunha was given two chances to score from the edge of the box and took the lead.
The Brazilian’s shot deflected past Alexis McAllister, denying Liverpool’s third goalkeeper Freddie Woodman a chance.
United’s flurry of attacks continued and Sesco was unable to beat Woodman from Bruno Fernandes’ accurate pass, prompting a penalty.
A few seconds later, the Slovenian bundled the ball over the goal line from a Fernandes header.
Fernandes came close to scoring the third goal when he tipped Brian Mbeumo’s cross wide.
But there were hints of what was to come for United in the second half even before the break.
Gakpo curled wide in one of the many instances in which Liverpool were able to break through the heart of the Red Devils’ midfield.
Sesco was replaced at half-time by Amad Diallo, and the Ivorian almost immediately gave Liverpool a path back into the game.
Szoboszlai pounced on Amad’s loose pass, ran unopposed from inside his own half and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
United once again brought about their own undoing in order to get an equaliser.
This time Mac Allister picked up goalkeeper Senne Lamence’s pass and fed Szoboszlai, who calmly slotted Gakpo in for the tap-in.
The unusually low stakes for a match between these clubs meant both clubs were on high alert in search of a winner.
The home side scored after McAllister’s botched clearance, and the onrushing Mainu slotted his goal into the bottom corner.
United achieved their first league double against Liverpool since the 2015-16 season, marking a remarkable turnaround in both teams’ fortunes from a year ago.
Liverpool finished 14th, 42 points behind their rivals, hoping to equal United’s record of 20 English top-flight titles last season.
Carrick also beat Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea during his short reign, and now uses his Champions League wealth to score major goals, making his claims difficult to ignore.
Mainu, who was named Man of the Match, said Carrick had played a “huge role” in his and the team’s turnaround.
“It’s confidence, not only in me but in all the players. You want to follow him and fight for him,” he told Sky Sports after the match. “That’s what we showed today.”
Bournemouth Trans Palace in good form
On Sunday, Bournemouth raised European expectations with a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace, who suffered a crushing defeat in the Premier League.
A disastrous own goal from former Cherries midfielder Jefferson Lerma and a 32nd-minute penalty from Junior Crupi put the in-form hosts on track to move up to sixth in the table.
Andoni Iraola’s side convincingly extended their incredible unbeaten run in the top flight to 15 games with Brazilian winger Rayan scoring with 13 minutes remaining.
Palace’s visit to the Vitality Stadium was sandwiched between their Conference League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk, who lead 3-1 on aggregate.
