Seasonal cheer for Man Utd as Liverpool face grim Christmas
Unbeatable David de Gea thwarts Reds as United go third after sixth win in a row
Manchester United 3 Liverpool 0.Manchester United cruised to their sixth successive league victory at Old Trafford against a Liverpool side who now limp along ten points behind their old rivals.
First half goals from Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata, and a second half effort from Robin Persie condemned the Reds to their seventh league defeat of the season and increased the pressure on under fire boss Brendan Rodgers.
He may have told reporters after the defeat that he "does not feel any additional pressure" but the Northern Irishman knows that Liverpool's owners, the Fenway Sports Group, are not shy in wielding the managerial axe. Rafa Benitez, Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish have all said farewell to Anfield in the last five years and Rodgers' job will surely be in jeopardy if he doesn't transform Liverpool's fortunes in the second half of the season.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Currently lying tenth, Liverpool were last week dumped out of the Champions League after failing to beat Swiss minnows Basel, and this comprehensive defeat was another sign of how far Liverpool have slipped in the space of a few months.
Back in March Liverpool came to Old Trafford and hammered United 3-0 but on Sunday they were clearly second best, whatever Rodgers might have thought.
"I didn't think it was a 3-0 game," he said. "I thought we were the better team in the first half but we gave away disappointing goals today. I think it tells you everything that their goalkeeper was man of the match. Our creativity was good today, probably the best all season."
Although Rodgers insisted he wasn't under pressure, he struggled to strike much of an upbeat note when asked if he thought Liverpool could turn things around after Christmas. "We've just got to keep working, we know what the solutions are and hopefully the confidence will return," said Rodgers. "I'll keep searching for the solutions. It's been difficult this year but that's the way it works."
It's been a difficult year, too, for United but this latest victory moves them three points clear of fourth place West Ham, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Saturday. Manchester City, second to Chelsea, are five points ahead of their neighbours but after a tough few months in the red half of Manchester, the club approaches the end of the year feeling more chipper than at any time since the end of the Alex Ferguson era in May 2013.
"I think we have scored wonderful goals [and] we also kept the shape very good," was Louis van Gaal's assessment. United's manager was at pains to praise the performance of his goalkeeper. "I'm proud we have a clean sheet but that is also because David De Gea has superb reactions," he said.
The Spanish gloveman was superb in denying Raheem Sterling early on when the score was still 0-0 and he also pulled off a string of saves after Rooney had given United the lead on 12 minutes.
Mata added a second in controversial circumstances five minutes before the interval, the Spaniard heading home while clearly offside. Mata had a hand in United's third, picking out van Persie as the Dutchman rounded off a miserable afternoon for the visitors.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face
Under The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published