MANCHESTER UNITED drew 0-0 with Liverpool in a cagey affair at Anfield.
Luke Shaw was superb at left-back as he kept Mo Salah quiet throughout – but Fred looked off the pace all afternoon.
Luke Shaw was the star man at Anfield as he kept Mo Salah & Co quiet from the offCredit: PA:Press Association
But Fred looked off the pace from minute oneCredit: AFP or licensors
The first-half was a drab affair as a resolute United limited Liverpool to just one shot on target despite the hosts having 67 per cent possession – most of it in United’s half.
It was a slightly more open match after the break as United broke forward more often.
They missed the best chances of the game when Bruno Fernandes smashed the ball against Alisson from ten yards after Shaw’s excellent cross.
And then Paul Pogba fired a half-volley straight at Alisson from just eight yards out with seven minutes remaining.
And here’s what SunSport’s William Pugh thought of the Red Devils’ individual performances.
DAVID DE GEA – 7/10
Almost nothing to do in the first-half as United limited Jurgen Klopp’s side to one shot on target.
Virtually the same in the second until he saved a long range effort from his friend and international team-mate Thiago.
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David De Gea did not have much to do in goal but performed well when called uponCredit: EPA
LUKE SHAW – 9
Didn’t give Salah an inch despite continued Liverpool pressure down his flank. Also broke forward with intent when he had the chance.
Laid on an excellent cross for Fernandes with 12 minutes of normal time left.
But the Portuguese saw his effort blocked. Calm and composed for the duration and Shaw deserved his man-of-the-match award.
Luke Shaw was fantastic at both ends of the fieldCredit: Getty Images – Getty
HARRY MAGUIRE – 6
Put his team under pressure with a very sloppy pass after 25 minutes which – luckily for United – came to nothing. Looked shaky and nervous for the rest of the half.
Improved after the break but was outshone by his defensive partner Victor Lindelof.
VICTOR LINDELOF – 8
Made some decisive blocks in the opening stages and looked composed in the face of continued attacks by the hosts.
Much of the same in the second-half and made all his recent critics look a little silly. Close second for man-of-the-match.
Victor Lindelof was a rock at the heart of Man Utd’s defenceCredit: EPA
AARON WAN-BISSAKA – 6
Hardly called on in the first-half as Liverpool focussed most of their attacks down the opposite flank.
Was lucky not to give away a penalty after a lunge on Sadio Mane mid-way through the second period, but a solid display overall.
FRED – 4
Liverpool found it too easy to play around him and midfield partner Scott McTominay in the first-half.
Improved slightly after the break but passing and positioning were no good and always looked half a yard behind everyone else on the pitch.
The Brazilian always seemed to be reactive rather than pro-activeCredit: AFP or licensors
SCOTT McTOMINAY – 5
Did little to thwart the early Liverpool onslaught as the hosts danced around him and Fred.
Gradually found his feet and helped spring United on the break towards end of first half.
But will be happy to have come away with a clean sheet on an afternoon of hard work.
Scott McTominay found himself chasing the game in the first halfCredit: AFP
PAUL POGBA – 7
Looked a little isolated out wide in the early stages but grew into the game midway through the first 45 as his team got a foothold.
Involved in almost all of the handful of attacks United had after the break.
Missed a HUGE chance with just seven minutes remaining – thundering a half-volley straight at Alisson from just eight yards. Got to score those.
Paul Pogba started the game in an unfamiliar wide right positionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
BRUNO FERNANDES – 7 (subbed off 89mins)
Huffed and puffed in the first-half and worked hard defensively as his team had very little of the ball. But did produce the closest moment of the half as he fizzed a 25-yard free-kick just wide of the post.
Livened up a little as the game opened up in the second-half but missed one of the best chances of the afternoon when he shot straight at Alisson from ten yards.
Bruno Fernandes came closest to scoring in the first-half with this free-kickCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
ANTHONY MARTIAL – 6 (subbed off, 60mins)
Couple of flashes of skill before the break but overall uninspiring. Should have held the ball up better to give United a chance to push up from defence.
Taken off on the hour mark having offered little more after half-time.
Anthony Martial had a limited impact on the gameCredit: PA:Press Association
MARCUS RASHFORD – 5
Caught stupidly offside FOUR times in the first half – the most he has ever been caught offside in a Prem game – as United looked to him to capitalise on counter-attack opportunities. Sloppy.
Didn’t improve much after the break and was lucky Fred was so ineffective or the lowest rating would have been his. Booked late on for a cynical foul.
Marcus Rashford accounted for FOUR of United’s SEVEN offside offences in the first-halfCredit: PA:Press Association
Subs
EDINSON CAVANI (replaced Martial) – 6
Worked hard and helped United look more dangerous.
MASON GREENWOOD (replaced Fernandes) – NA
Not enough time to make an impact.
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Points were shared after a cagey affair at AnfieldCredit: AFP
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
