Kobbie Mainoo was Manchester United’s hero at Old Trafford on Sunday as his 77th-minute strike sealed a dramatic 3-2 win over Liverpool, guaranteeing United’s return to the Champions League next season.
United needed just a point to secure a top-five Premier League finish after Bournemouth’s earlier 3-0 win over Crystal Palace. They made the perfect start, going 2-0 up inside 14 minutes. Matheus Cunha’s effort deflected off Alexis Mac Allister before Bruno Fernandes’ header bounced in off the unfortunate Freddie Woodman via Benjamin Sesko.
Michael Carrick’s side threatened to let it slip after the break. Dominik Szoboszlai punished a loose Amad Diallo pass to make it 2-1, then Cody Gakpo equalized after Senne Lammens gifted possession to Mac Allister in the United box. Lammens redeemed himself moments later, denying a Luke Shaw own goal that would have put Liverpool ahead.
That reprieve proved crucial. With 13 minutes left, Mac Allister’s weak clearance fell to Mainoo. The 21-year-old, fresh from signing a new five-year deal this week, swept a first-time finish into the bottom corner to restore United’s lead. It was his first Premier League goal in 718 days, ending a drought stretching back to May 2024 against Newcastle.
The goal confirmed United’s place in Europe’s top competition for next season and completed their first league double over Liverpool since 2015-16. For Carrick, it continued a dominant home record: eight wins from nine Premier League games at Old Trafford as United boss.
Liverpool now need four points from their final three games against Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford to join United in the top five.
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