This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Heading into the clash on Sunday, Manchester United fans may have been forgiven for fearing the worst. The side had capped off a truly horrendous start to the Premier League campaign by falling to an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to Newcastle before the international break, whilst visitors Liverpool, had enjoyed a flawless start. It had all the makings of a truly forgettable afternoon for the Old Trafford faithful.
Instead, in arguably their most promising display since the 4-0 thrashing of Chelsea in their opening game of the season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were five minutes away from clinching a remarkable 1-0 victory against the league leaders. Whilst the United boss was understandably in a buoyant mood after the match, the sense of the performance and the result being a watershed moment should be tempered.
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Make no mistake about it, Liverpool looked a shadow of their normal irrepressible selves at the weekend, losing possession 157 times, and completing just four out of their 23 attempted crosses. United certainly played their part in making the visitors look so distinctly ordinary, but Jurgen Klopp’s men did themselves no favours. The Merseyside club played right into the Red Devils’ plans, getting involved in 50/50 challenges, putting the ball out of play under little pressure, and trying to whip in David Beckham-esque crosses from 40 yards away.
Whilst Liverpool may have approached the game in that fashion, it will be highly unlikely Norwich will do the same next week. Or any of the other lesser sides over the coming months. As others have done before them – most notably Crystal Palace and Newcastle – they will be happy to sit back in their own box and try to counter-attack themselves. They will not be prepared to leave space in behind as Klopp’s side did on Sunday.
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In four games against Chelsea, Leicester, Arsenal and Liverpool, Solskjaer’s team have picked up eight points from a possible 12 – a very decent return indeed. But against sides they are expected to beat, they have come away with two. The big tests for the Red Devils lies in the clashes where the opposition won’t play into their hands as much. Playing 5-3-2 and counter-attacking against sides that want to dominate you is all well and good, but that approach won’t cut it week-in and week-out against the Premier League’s lesser lights.
So whilst United should rightly feel proud of their display on Sunday, it may not be the watershed moment either Solskjaer or the players hope for.
