Manchester United Player Ratings

David De Gea 8/10: The Spaniard has reached a level where he rarely makes mistakes anymore. His distribution is exemplary and kick starts counter-attacks with such ease. Perhaps he should consider playing one half in goal, one in half in midfield. A long-term successor for Carrick?

Matteo Darmian 5/10: For all the stick that the Italian receives, Darmian did what he needed to do. He man-marked Firmino brilliantly and rarely let him slip by. Everyone knows that the ex-Torino full-back is not blessed with attacking intuition, but he got forward today and supported Martial.

[Mourinho frustrated with Klopp: ‘We attacked, Liverpool defended]

[Ibrahimovic: We were not at our best against Liverpool]

Marcos Rojo 7/10: The centre-back has found joy while partnering Jones in defence on Man Utd’s 16-game unbeaten, and today he, on more than one occasion, diverted the danger away from De Gea’s goal. Rarely let go of his marker and was incredibly sturdy.

Phil Jones 5/10: The English centre-back had a nightmare moment in what was, other from that, a solid performance. Irresponsibly gave away the corner that led to Liverpool’s opening goal, but made amends for some desperate blocks and clearances. His partnership with Rojo is providing to be one of Mourinho’s best decisions.

Antonio Valencia 6/10: In every team there is one performer in which you can count on to give their very best. For Man Utd, it is Valencia. A superhuman effort to bomb down the right-hand side time after time and provided a brilliant cross to set-up the equaliser.

Michael Carrick 5/10: Unfortunately for Carrick, the speed of Liverpool’s attack proved too much to handle for a 35-year-old. The central midfielder has his uses and has been brilliant this season, but when the players are as quick as Lallana, Firmino and Origi, it’s very hard to get a foothold on the game.

[Premier League Round-up: United fuelled by Zlatan’s own self-belief]

Ander Herrera 7/10: Don’t be fooled when you come across this little Spaniard. He has more fight and desire than most professional footballers. Today highlighted, yet again, Herrera’s importance to this team. A wonderful player that is exceptional at dispossessing his opponent and launching attacks.

Paul Pogba 2/10: The French superstar was unfortunately a passenger in a game that was played around him. Liverpool made Pogba look incredibly average and, by failing to get into the game, it really cost Man Utd in dominating the midfield battle. Should take a leaf out of Ibrahimović’s book in how to handle a big occasion.

Anthony Martial 6/10: The speedy winger was terrorising Liverpool’s debutant, Alexander-Arnold, in the first half and looked to get the better of him on every encounter. The Red Devils should have allowed Martial the freedom to play more one-on-one football.

Zlatan Ibrahimović 6/10: It was easy to forget that the Swede was even on the pitch at times. However, Ibrahimović did step up at the crucial time – like he always does – and placed a world-class header over the flailing Simon Mignolet. That goal might just prove to be a season-defining one.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan 4/10: Not one of Mkhitaryan’s better games, and in the end, Mourinho pushed him back to left-back to accommodate Marouane Fellaini. He got forward and created a few chances, but struggled to really impose himself.

Subs:

Wayne Rooney 4/10: Came on for Michael Carrick in the second half, but looked so out of touch with first-team football there was little to no point of him being there. Could not impose himself on the game and certainly failed to make the Red Devils tick.

Juan Mata 3/10: Only had a limited time to do anything, perhaps should have started instead of Henrikh Mkhitaryan given his goal-scoring form.

Marouane Fellaini 6/10: For all the stick that the Belgian receives, Fellaini was pivotal in Man Utd’s equaliser and helped them get back on the front-foot.