United View: Another thrilling encounter against Liverpool and more late goals

At this moment in time, Manchester United are the embodiment of chaos.

Their matches are both thrilling and calamitous, like a mix between a David Fincher film and a Benny Hill sketch. Brilliant if you’re a neutral, but for Manchester United fans it’s almost becoming too much to bear.

Sunday’s encounter with Liverpool was more of what we’ve already seen in Erik ten Hag’s sophomore season, mayhem in midfield but still capable of getting something through individual brilliance.

It was similar to the 4-3 FA Cup win over three weeks ago, although there was no extra time to grab a result and Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s mistimed tackle on Harvey Elliot, gave Liverpool a late penalty, seeing United lose a late lead for the third game in a row.

Jurgen Klopp’s side looked like they had learnt from the FA Cup clash, keeping United at arm’s length and trying to prevent the game from descending into madness. A Luis Diaz goal gave them the lead but again they failed to capitalise on their dominance.

United hadn’t had a shot on target until their first goal. Bruno Fernandes took full advantage of Jarell Quansah’s slack pass by lobbing Caoimhin Kelleher from just inside the centre circle. And with that, United began to threaten more.

Kobbie Mainoo then gave United the lead in the 67th minute, a quick turn with his back to goal before curling one into the top corner, another brilliant moment from the biggest silver lining in United’s season.

United’s had six teenagers in the squad on Sunday, Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, have already become regular first-team players this season, but with injuries mounting up, Sunday forced ten Hag to play Willy Kambwala.

This was the second start for the 19-year-old, who gave a very good account of himself against a title-chasing Liverpool side. Displaying an impressive array of physical attributes alongside Harry Maguire – who was immense at the back. This was United’s 26th different defensive combination this season.

In their three meetings this season, Liverpool have had 87 shots with a combined xG (expected goals) of 8.3, but they have failed to beat ten Hag’s side this season. In Jurgen Klopp’s final season, United have played their role as the pantomime villain to full effect, possibly denying Liverpool two trophies.

It’s a small victory for United, who after giving Liverpool a penalty in the 84th minute made it three games in a row where they have let a late lead slip, costing them seven points. The Reds now sit 11 points off Aston Villa and Spurs, needing both to drop points in the final seven games of the campaign.

Ten Hag acknowledged admitted his side had only themselves to blame for letting leads slip, putting it down to ‘stupid mistakes’ but admitted he is proud of his squad and the potential of his squad.

It’s becoming a concerning reoccurring factor in recent games. A defence that keeps having to change, along with the intense physical demands of Ten Hag’s style could lead to a lapse in concentration in the closing minutes but perhaps that’s just an excuse.

The gap might be too big for United to recover at this stage and for many of this young squad, it will be a lesson to be learnt for the remainder of this season and next season.

United continue their chase of the top four on Saturday away to Bournemouth. Andoni Iraola’s side ran riot at Old Trafford back in January in their 3-0 win and the Reds will have to be wary not to allow the Cherries to be as dangerous as they were in the reverse fixture.