Footballers are more distant from the fans. It is an accusation that is aired often and it is all too understandable. Yet concealed amongst the travelling supporters at Anfield, wrapped up to guard them against the winter cold, were Marcos Rojo, Michael Carrick and Phil Jones.
It is the trip United fans fear and savour most. A taste of life on the other side of the great divide threatened to be awkward for the injured Manchester United trio. Around them, the United faithful booed when Louis van Gaal substituted the popular Ander Herrera. The safe assumption is that Carrick, Old Trafford's great diplomat, did not join in.
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When Wayne Rooney hooked in an undeserved, but cathartic, winner, however, Carrick was in their midst. “Nearly thrown down three rows,” he reflected wryly. Jones was jumping for joy with such verve that it prompted jokes the accident-prone defender would sustain yet another injury in the process. It was that sort of day for United; uncomfortable for long periods, but ultimately ecstatic.
The performance was poor, the result excellent. It amounted to arguably United's most momentous win since April's defeat of Manchester City. It provided a reminder that Van Gaal, who retains his 100 per cent record against Liverpool, had a reputation as a big-game manager. It was harder to argue this was a tactical masterclass, with a smash-and-grab raid facilitated by David de Gea's brilliance and some erratic Liverpool finishing, but at least it suggested Van Gaal had the fortune that his luckless predecessor David Moyes lacked on such occasions.
The Scot’s first loss came at Anfield, when he alienated many by arguing his side played well. For large swathes, this was a similarly wretched display but Van Gaal’s reign will not be curtailed by defeat on enemy territory. Not yet, anyway.
That United scored with their solitary shot on target was indicative. Tuesday’s frenetic 3-3 draw at Newcastle was the exception. This was the reversion to type. So, too, for Liverpool, following their barnstorming 3-3 draw with Arsenal. If that suggested they can be prolific in the absence of professional goalscorers, their other last five league games have yielded just two goals.
Adam Lallana, who has not struck in the top flight since May, illustrated their problems. De Gea reacted wonderfully to save his header, but a £25 million (Dh131m) player ought to have done better. Emre Can, too, could testify to the Spaniard’s reflexes.
United possess a world-class goalkeeper. Liverpool do not. If Simon Mignolet was blameless for Rooney’s winner, the rebound after Marouane Fellaini hit the bar, he nevertheless completed the game without making a save. Liverpool, as is their wont, conceded from a corner.
Jurgen Klopp lost his unbeaten record against the elite. He had drawn with Tottenham and Arsenal, beaten Chelsea, Manchester City and Leicester, who continue to look down on English football’s traditional superpowers in the standings, and, for the most part, his team were brighter and more purposeful than United. They aimed long passes for midfield runners and showed moments of slick combination play around the penalty area.
United seemed to require a fit Jones to add solidity to the defence, or a fully functioning Carrick to bring composure to a midfield Lucas Leiva ran. He was stamped upon, albeit without too much violence, by Fellaini.
It was another occasion when the Belgian was emblematic of United. For much of the match, he looked a liability: too ungainly and slow, a red card waiting to happen. Then his set-piece menace transformed a drab draw into a vital victory. His United career was revived by Van Gaal. Now the Dutchman’s position looks a little more secure. More so, seemingly, than Jones and Carrick’s footing when Rooney scored.
Man of the Match: David de Gea (Manchester United)
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