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Bruno Fernandes’ free kick marked a 3-2 victory for Manchester United over Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup, on the night of January 24.
*Goals: Greenwood 26 ‘, Rashford 48’, Fernandes 78 ‘- Salah 19’ 59 ‘.
Fernandes was at the center of the tactic Ole Gunnar Solskjaer developed since moving to Man Utd. But a lack of convincing performance in Liverpool’s 0-0 draw on January 17 caused the Portuguese midfielder to be labeled a small player in big games, for poor statistics when he faced teams in the top six group. The decisive goal to help Manchester United eliminate Liverpool was the way Fernandes responded to criticism.
Fernandes is happy after kicking Liverpool’s net. Image: Reuters.
With more than 10 minutes left in the second half, Man Utd enjoyed a free kick near the edge of the penalty area after Fabinho fouled Edinson Cavani. Fernandes whispered to Cavani before stepping on the free kick. However, the 26-year-old did not coordinate with his teammates but instead fired straight into Alisson’s goal. Partly blinded, partly because Fernandes’s shot was too dangerous, the Liverpool goalkeeper was unable to block it.
Fernandes came in in the 66th minute as Solskjaer gave Donny van de Beek the lead kick. Jurgen Klopp also put Sadio Mane on the bench and entered the second half. But only the Man Utd coach succeeds with his trump card. Klopp arranged for Rhys Williams to play in midfield with Fabinho, while Solskjaer let Greenwood start on the right flank, returning Marcus Rashford to the left.
Man Utd was better in the first 10 minutes. But his midfield gradually deflated and he was unable to lift the ball. The two wings lacking the mutation also limited Man Utd’s ability to develop the ball. Meanwhile, with Thiago Alcantara in midfield, Liverpool controlled the pace of the match better despite their positions being in poor shape.
Alisson touched the ball but was unable to block Rashford’s shot. Image: Reuters.
Roberto Firmino lost sharpness in the shots. But the Brazilian forward’s ability to assist is still useful. Step back to receive the ball and push his sharp groove to help Mohamed Salah take on Dean Henderson. The Egyptian striker does not fail to make a delicate touch. In this phase, Victor Lindelof made a mistake that caused Man Utd’s offside trap to be broken.
Being blocked down the middle by van de Beek too pale, but Man Utd tied shortly after that thanks to a long ball combination between the two wingers. Rashford swung past James Milner’s head to allow Greenwood’s volley to hit the ground and beat Alisson. This is Greenwood’s first goal in Man Utd’s last 11 games. It helped him become the youngest “Red Devils” player to concede the Liverpool net since Wayne Rooney in 2005.
Man Utd kicked his feet in the next few minutes. They have back-to-back chances since Pogba or Scott McTominay’s header. Pogba in particular had two more chances, a free kick from 23 meters and a long shot from very close to the edge of the box, but both ended up straying from the post.
Salah scored the double but couldn’t help Liverpool escape. Image: FA.
The home team soon rose to the start of the second half. Greenwood responded to Rashford with a slash to let his superiors escape and defeat Alisson. However, this combination will not be successful without the situation of missing the Williams ball. Rashford also showed his confidence with a cold shot, causing Alisson to touch the ball but could not block.
However, with the advantage, Man Utd’s game has not improved. They could not stop pushing, and in an attempt to do so, Solskjaer’s army paid the price. Receiving the pass from Harry Maguire, Cavani passes a first-touch pass to van de Beek but sends the ball into the foot of James Milner. Liverpool then mounted a quick counterattack that ended with Salah’s shot from close range. Man Utd almost lost more to the Trent Alexander-Arnold situation within minutes.
The two teams took a bite at the last minute and the difference was created by Fernandes’ brilliant situation. This is the 28th goal for the Man Utd midfielder. In addition to scoring, Fernandes also had a good pass for Cavani to hit his head. For the tenth time to eliminate Liverpool from the FA Cup, Man Utd had more motivation ahead of a trip to Sheffield United on the night of January 27. Meanwhile, the Liverpool forward remains a tough match at Tottenham on January 28.
Team
Man Utd: Henderson, Wan Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Pogba, McTominay, Greenwood (Fred 66 ‘), van de Beek (Fernandes 66’), Rashford (Martial 86 ‘), Cavani.
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Rhys Williams, Fabinho, Robertson, Milner, Thiago (Shaqiri 81 ‘), Wijnaldum (Mane 62’), Salah, Firmino (Origi 81 ‘), Jones.
Quang Huy
