Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool: Kobbie Mainoo winner seals Champions League return for Red Devils | OneFootball

Reds could not complete valiant second-half comeback

Kobbie Mainoo celebrated his new deal in style as the homegrown Manchester United star sealed a helter-skelter 3-2 victory against arch-rivals Liverpool and Champions League qualification.

Sunday’s eagerly-anticipated Premier League encounter pitted third against fourth at Old Trafford, where the Red Devils roared out of the blocks as Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko struck inside the opening 14 minutes.

But United gifted Arne Slot’s stumbling side a way back just after half-time, with substitute Amad Diallo’s misplaced pass punished by Dominik Szoboszlai before Cody Gakpo levelled the scores following a Senne Lammens blunder.

Play continued at a frenetic pace before academy graduate Mainoo settled things in the 77th minute, slamming home in front of the Stretford End just days after committing his future to the club until 2031.

United’s victory ensured they did the league double over Liverpool for the first time since 2015-16 and secured Champions League football with three games to spare as boss Michael Carrick furthered his case for the long-term role.