Manchester United Fan View: Three things we learned from Anfield stalemate

Liverpool vs Manchester United, a game that was hyped up for such a long time, ended in a 0-0 draw as the home side completed five shots on target whilst the visitors managed to achieve just the one attempt on goal. Jurgen Klopp and his men dominated the game from the first minute till the end, whilst Jose Mourinho’s team played within a very low block and hardly posed any threat on the counter-attack.

Here are the three things we learned from Manchester United’s latest league game…

The presence of Marouane Fellaini and Paul Pogba was missed

In the middle of the pitch, Nemanja Matic had a lot of work to do as he received very little help from his partner Ander Herrera as well as from the defence, which were more focused on clearing the ball away from the keeper’s box. Due to this area of weakness, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool pressed the Serbian international high up the pitch and forced him to give up the ball. Along with David De Gea and Phil Jones, Matic was one of the best performers from the Manchester United line-up.

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However, if Marouane Fellaini or Paul Pogba was available to partner along with Matic, the result of the game would have definitely been different. Both individuals, who are currently out with an injury, could have potentially given that extra protection and control in the centre of midfield to prevent Liverpool from breaking through the middle so easily. Also, either one of them could have helped to increase the chances going forward, whether it’s via direct balls or short passing.

Without a doubt, David De Gea is the best goalkeeper in the league

Recently, David De Gea was shortlisted for this year’s Ballon d’Or award, and today he showed why he is the best goalkeeper in the league as well as one of the best within European football. As Joel Matip is just about to tap the ball into the back of the net, the Spaniard’s left foot somehow prevents the attempt from going past him to give the hosts the lead. Straightaway, the supporters within the home section were in awe, and were totally shocked on how the save was actually made.

So far this campaign, De Gea has kept seven clean sheets and has conceded only two goals in the league. On top of that, the last 12 attempts on target against the Red Devils have been saved by yours truly, Spain and Manchester United’s number one, David De Gea. When it comes to top-notch performances like this from the shot-stopper, the fans tend to remind themselves on what the unfortunate situation would have been like had the 26-year-old completed his move to Real Madrid a few years ago.

Jose Mourinho went to Anfield and returned to Manchester with what he wanted

With what the line-up was and how the team was setup very deeply, it looks like in the end, Mourinho went to Anfield and got what he wanted which is the vital point. The manager did bring up a valid point about the midfield battle, where Matic was become very tired in the second half but there were no solutions to bring on from the bench. All three of Fellaini, Pogba and Michael Carrick were unavailable for selection due to the injury problems they suffered in the last couple of weeks.

The only problem is that Mourinho’s result so far with Manchester United away from home against top-six is not good enough, especially if he wants achieve his fourth league title in English football. Whether he showed too much respect to Liverpool today or not, the opposition’s defence is evidently awful and the three points was there for the taking had the game-plan been more positive. At the end of the day, getting a point away at Anfield is fantastic but it’s a shame that the manner of the game was unconvincing and boring in general.