By Razeen Gutta
Kobbie Mainoo struck 13 minutes from time to hand Manchester United a 3-2 win over bitter rivals Liverpool on Sunday, securing Uefa Champions League football next season.
United stormed into a 2-0 lead inside 15 minutes at Old Trafford.
Matheus Cunha’s deflected effort beat third-choice keeper Freddie Woodman before Benjamin Sesko tapped in from close range.
Liverpool, missing Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak, were handed a lifeline after the break when Dominik Szoboszlai intercepted Amad Diallo’s pass to score a wonderful goal before the Hungarian set-up Cody Gakpo to level matters.
Mainoo, fresh from signing a new five-year deal, curled in the winner from outside the box to guarantee United’s return to the Champions League after two years.
Later in the day, Tottenham Hotspur climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa.
Spurs built on last weekend’s first win in 118 days as Conor Gallagher fired in his first Tottenham goal before Richarlison headed Mathys Tel’s cross to make it 2-0.
Emi Buendia’s late strike was only a consolation as Roberto De Zerbi’s side moved a point above West Ham and out of the bottom three.
Liverpool stay fourth but now sit six points behind United, while Villa rotated ahead of their Europa League semi-final. Bournemouth beat Crystal Palace 3-0 to close on the top five.
In the title race, Arsenal were 3-0 victors over Fulham on Saturday. Manchester City will face Everton away from home on Monday night football.
Pictured above: Kobbie Mainoo
Source: @manutd
