Amorim’s system means United are often outnumbered in the middle of the park against three-man midfields. Whatever partnership plays there needs the legs to cover space, laterally as well as up and down. Mainoo and Ugarte give United exactly that.

Manchester United tore up the scrips as they held Liverpool to a 2-2 draw on Sunday afternoon at a rainswept Anfield. Having demolished United on a number of occasions in recent years, home fans, and away fans for that matter, were likely expecting another Liverpool masterclass as they welcomed their struggling rivals to Anfield.

Arne Slot has defended Trent Alexander-Arnold following criticism of the Liverpool’s defender’s performance against Manchester United.Alexander-Arnold endured a torrid afternoon as Liverpool