Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool - 5 Talking Points

Liverpool made their way to Old Trafford in the best of form as the Premier League's marquee fixture finally lived up to its billing, with the Red Devils emerging 2-1 victors.

Marcus Rashford's first-half brace put Manchester United in command, but Liverpool didn't give up without a fight.

Eric Bailly's calamitous own goal gave Liverpool some hope, but there was to be no further joy for the Reds, as United defended like only a Jose Mourinho side can.

Here are 5 key highlights from the game:

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#5 Alexander-Arnold's nightmare

Last season, Trent Alexander-Arnold made his first ever Premier League start at Old Trafford and won rave reviews for his performances. However, it wasn't such a happy visit to the enemy's bastion for the youngster.

His momentary lapse in concentration in the 14th minute allowed Marcus Rashford to get on the end of Romelu Lukaku's flick-on. Rashford still had a lot to do once he had gotten goalside of Alexander-Arnold.

But an inspired flick left the young Scouser not knowing what had happened around him, before United's 'Boy Wonder' curled one past Loris Karius into the far-post.

Ten minutes later, Rashford found himself in a similar situation again, and this time, Alexander-Arnold turned his back on Rashford and ultimately, that proved fatal. The deflection off of the young Scouser's heel took the ball beyond the grasp of Karius and into the Liverpool goal.

#4 United snuff out the Salah threat

Salah had an afternoon to forget

Coming into the game, the biggest fear for anyone associated with Manchester United would have been the threat posed by Liverpool's Egyptian star, Mohamed Salah.

But they did a fantastic job to keep him quiet all game, with Ashley Young in particular deserving huge credit for the way he stuck to his task and gave the Egyptian no joy at all.

It helped that Young is a natural right-footer, which enabled him to move to his natural side when Salah cut in to get the ball on his lethal left foot.

Salah didn't have a shot on goal all game, which exemplified how well United dealt with him. The communication between Young and the centre-backs was also spot on, with Chris Smalling being a rock when faced by the Egyptian.

It also helped the United back four that Nemanja Matic had an absolutely outstanding game for them, snuffing out any danger that popped up in his vicinity.

#3 Scott McTominay keeps on growing

McTominay gave Liverpool no joy at all

For a young kid in his first season with the United first team, Scott McTominay has not once left any room to question Jose Mourinho's faith in him.

As in United's last home game against Chelsea, McTominay once again was splendid in midfield, doing all the dirty work effectively, if unspectacularly.

That was really the mantra for Mourinho's team in this game - efficiency.

McTominay's role in this side is very clear. He provides them with energy, and he does the dirty work for the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku and Juan Mata to do what they do going forward.

McTominay's growth bodes well for Mourinho and could not have come at a better time for them.

#2 Eric Bailly's imperious comeback

Bailly put in a brilliant performance

It is no secret that Bailly is United's best defender, but he hadn't started too many games recently. Given that, it might have been considered a gamble to start him in a game of this magnitude.

GAMBLE WHAT?... said Bailly, as he put in an absolutely majestic performance to thwart most things that Liverpool threw at him.

Bailly read the game wonderfully well, he was not afraid to put his body on the line, and he was fantastic in bringing a shaky Chris Smalling along with him.

The own goal was a little unfortunate for him as it was his only blemish on an otherwise flawless afternoon. It was a mistake that gave Liverpool life again, but again, Bailly put that mistake behind him to ensure that there was nothing Liverpool could do, as the Reds had ZERO shots on target in the second half.

There was even time for a little bit of showboating.

#1 Mourinho does a number on Jurgen Klopp

Once again in a big game, Mourinho got his tactics spot on

A Portuguese pragmatist against a German football romantic in England's biggest game. In the end, the Portuguese pragmatist had a big smile on his face.

Mourinho knew that for United to have a chance, they would have to take Liverpool's pressing out of the equation, and so they did. It was clear that they were looking for Lukaku at every possible opportunity.

But that much was obvious. What was credit-worthy was the way United went about their business. It was not their plain old mindless hoof ball. There was a clear plan to how they hit the ball forward.

They ensured that Lukaku was always challenging Dejan Lovren in the air and not Virgil van Dijk, given the Dutchman's presence in the air.

Matic and McTominay in the centre of the park, suffocated Liverpool and allowed them no space to work the ball into the likes of Salah and Mane.

In the end, Mourinho 1-0 Klopp. Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool.