Maguire ends United's long wait for Anfield win

Manchester United fans recognise the pre-match shiver of optimism. Maybe it is blind hope but they know that their team have been able to raise their level in some of the very biggest Premier League matches under Ruben Amorim. They know there have been signs of improvement this season. And was this not a good time to play Liverpool?

- David Hytner

It is often the case that it is the prompt for a sharp reality check. After all, nobody ever really knows which United will turn up. Here, it was the version that Amorim has craved, the one he has claimed has been ready to show itself on a regular basis.

United had not won at Anfield for nine years. They had never previously recorded back-to-back league victories under Amorim. They chased the demons from their backs with a performance and result to offer the promise of better times.

They rode their luck. Liverpool hit the woodwork three times through the dangerous Cody Gakpo. And, in the 87th minute, before the eight that were added on for stoppages, Gakpo somehow blew a close-range header when unmarked in front of goal. That was the point at which Liverpool knew it would not be their day; their losing run in all competitions now extending to four.

Minutes earlier, United had produced the moment that will stand the test of time. Gakpo had cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo's early goal after a second-half surge from Liverpool and it felt as though the scene was set for the champions to push for the winner.