Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United: Five thoughts

1. If it ain't broke, don't fix it

And so goes my rather unadventurous mantra on most things in life: from the cars I've owned that have been driven into the ground, to my timeless hairstyle. So how delighted I was to see van Gaal adopt the same logic with his line-up to face Liverpool yesterday!



In sticking with the exact same XI that beat Tottenham a week earlier, LVG played Carrick, Herrera and the superb Mata in midfield while bravely keeping out Di Maria and extending Falcao's run of not starting a United game to four straight games. Don't get me wrong, it isn't great to see our two marquee signings of last summer struggle to get a game, but if it is for the greater good of the team - for now, at least - it's a no brainer. The last two matches have been fantastic to watch and I am delighted van Gaal seems to have finally found his winning formula, though his next challenge must be to get the best out of Di Maria and Falcao ensuring we maintain our current form while being able to utilise the depth in squad we possess. 

2. Mata

The star man, Mata scored the two goals - one of which is a certain contender for goal of the season - and in the process had the game of his United career. His passing, reading of the game and link-up play with Herrera and Fellaini was excellent.

3. Fellaini

Another confident display from the big man, a performance that lead Garth Crooks in his 'Team of the Week' segment for the BBC to exclaim: "Not since Didier Drogba in his heyday have I seen a forward be so effective in both penalty areas as Mauroane Fellaini was against Liverpool." He has been excellent recently - on the ball he is displaying fantastic control and distribution, reading the movement of his team-mates well, while, thanks to his stature, also being a powerful asset (both defensively and in attack) off the ball.

4. Gerrard

Coming off the bench with his team trailing 1-0 at half-time, could the script have been any more perfect? The heroic Liverpool legend - captain fantastic - inspiring his beloved team and saving them from an embarrassing defeat at home to United; his last ever performance in this famous fixture. The reality however was completely shocking and bizarre, as Gerrard stamps on Herrera after around 40 seconds of the re-start...an incident that saw him swiftly presented with a straight red.



Foolish and stupid, however as much as we all loved witnessing Gerrard make his final and most awful/hilarious contribution in a Liverpool/United game, it's a shame that his moment has stolen the headlines from Mata and co. United were outstanding in the first half and in complete control of the game, so the fact Liverpool went down to 10 men so early in the second half overshadows United's quality, immediately diverting the attention onto Liverpool's struggle thanks to Gerrard's sending off. As much as the red card all-but killed Liverpool's chances of getting back in the game, United were  unquestionably the better team all afternoon.

5. Maintain momentum

United have been superb in the last two games...but the tough task's presented by Tottenham and Liverpool are only the start of things to come. With a difficult run-in consisting of games against City, Chelsea (a) and Arsenal it would be a tragedy if we failed to maintain the winning form and excellent performances of late.



As important as those upcoming fixtures are, it is also worth highlighting the significance of the next set of Premier League games (not for another 12 days thanks to the International break), as United host Aston Villa while Arsenal play Liverpool at the Emirates. If United win while Arsenal and Liverpool draw, the gap between United and fifth placed Liverpool widens to eight points while United also overtake Arsenal in third. A significant step to not only solidifying our place in the top four, but perhaps finishing the season in a far stronger position than many had ever thought was possible only a few weeks ago.