- Manchester United qualify for the 2026/27 Champions League
- Mathues Cunha’s importance throughout the season
- Kobbie Mainoo’s wonderstrike
Despite a torrid second-half spell which saw Michael Carrick’s side surrender a 2-0 lead to level terms within 11 minutes of the restart, Manchester United secured qualification to the Champions League after Kobbie Mainoo’s goal delivered a 3-2 victory in the 77th minute.
To call it a game of two halves barely scratches the surface. In United’s first league double over their rivals since 2016, Mathues Cunha and Benjamin Sesko handed the hosts a comfortable, if not controversial, 2-0 lead.
Liverpool fans may feel hard done by over the supposed handball by Sesko before his shot rippled the net, but the Slovenian had little to answer for, as Stuart Attwell may have deemed the contact inconclusive.
At the break, that control unravelled.
Amad Diallo replaced Benjamin Sesko, who was inexplicably withdrawn—possibly through injury—and what had felt serene quickly spiralled into chaos for United.
Within two minutes of the restart, Amad played a wayward, loose ball into the feet of Dominic Szoboszlai, who turned Harry Maguire before slotting past Senne Lammens.
Moments later, United’s goalkeeper faltered. Despite a fantastic season that has seen the Belgian excel, he misplaced a pass straight to Alexis McAllister, who fed Szoboszlai, who in turn teed up Cody Gakpo for one of the simplest goals of his career, guiding the ball into an empty net.
It was a disastrous 10-minute spell, and Liverpool sensed blood.
Despite Liverpool on the front foot, and United clinging to their 42-year record of not losing when leading at half-time at Old Trafford, they pressed on. In the 77th minute, they found their reward, sparking euphoria among the Old Trafford faithful as Mainoo struck past Freddie Woodman.
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Mathues Cunha’s Importance
For a player who took eight league games to register his first goal for the Red Devils, Cunha’s influence in front of goal cannot be understated this season.
Whilst it took the Brazilian time to find rhythm, since December, he has delivered some of the most decisive moments of the campaign.
The fourth goal in United’s 4-4 draw against Bournemouth, the winner in United’s 3-2 victory against Arsenal, the solitary goal in United’s 1-0 win against Chelsea, and now the opener in today’s 3-2 victory against Liverpool.
His strike in the sixth minute may have taken a deflection off Alexis McAllister, but it still found its way into the net, giving United a 1-0 lead. To say he has been important is to state the obvious.
Under Carrick, the Brazilian has taken time to settle. An attacking midfielder by trade, he has been deployed on the left wing, which at times has proved difficult to adjust to.
At numerous points during Carrick’s tenure, the Brazilian has lacked the qualities to thrive in that role, either hugging the touchline too rigidly or drifting too centrally.
Now, however, he appears to have refined his understanding of the position and is rapidly becoming one of the most important players in the squad.
Kobbie Mainoo… That’s the Headline
For a player who has endured a difficult year and a half, watching Mainoo strike past a helpless Woodman would have sent waves of euphoria through every United supporter.
It was the midfielder’s first Premier League goal in nearly two years, with his previous effort coming against Newcastle on 15 May, 2024.
Despite both he and Casemiro delivering a largely underwhelming second-half display, that will likely fade into the background given the result. But questions remain.
Whilst Amad must shoulder much of the responsibility for Liverpool’s first goal, both holding midfielders had advanced beyond the ball when he played backwards, allowing Szoboszlai to surge unchallenged towards the defence.
With United now officially in the Champions League for the 2026/27 campaign, attention will turn towards securing a third-place finish, and the question of the permanent managerial position.
With Mainoo stating, “We’ll do anything and die on the pitch for him [Carrick]” in the post-match press conference, it increasingly feels as though Carrick will occupy the dugout heading into next season.
Read: Manchester United Top Five Greatest Wins Over Liverpool
