90min

Twitter reacts as Man Utd edge out Liverpool in classic FA Cup tie thanks to Bruno Fernandes free kick

By Matt O'Connor-Simpson

Fernandes came on as a substitute to settle things at Old Trafford
Fernandes came on as a substitute to settle things at Old Trafford / Pool/Getty Images
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After subjecting us to one of the most disappointing games in Premier League history last weekend, Manchester United and Liverpool made up for their sins by playing out a five-goal thriller on Sunday evening.

Great goals, dramatic lead changes and toe-curling defensive errors - this FA Cup tie had everything.

It all started when Mohamed Salah provided a timely reminder of his talent, scoring a fine goal with just under 20 minutes on the clock.

Liverpool's lead would not last long though. Soon after Salah opened the scoring, United grabbed one of their own.

Mason Greenwood's finish was sublime but fellow academy graduate, Marcus Rashford, created the goal with an even better crossfield pass.

The game could not have been more different to the pair's Premier League meeting and the goals continued to flow after the break.

First to join the party was Rashford, with Greenwood returning the favour with a fine assist of his own. United fans were (unsurprisingly) loving it.

Unfortunately, there is no way of avoiding the part that Rhys Williams played in the goal. Failing to deal with a fairly routine ball over the top, the defender fluffed his clearance and left Rashford free to slot it past Alisson.

It was one of several missteps Williams made in the game...

The excitement did not stop there either. Just 10 minutes after Rashford's goal, Liverpool levelled things up again.

This time, it was Edinson Cavani's turn to make a mistake, with the Uruguayan's pass being picked off by James Milner. Milner then played a nice one-two with Roberto Firmino, before moving it on for Salah to smash home.

Like so many United games in the past, this one was eventually settled by the miraculous Bruno Fernandes.

Entering the fray with 25 minutes left on the clock, there was only one man who was ever going to step up when the hosts won a free kick on the edge of the box.

It was an unorthodox technique, a sidefoot struck hard across Alisson, but boy was it effective.

That goal knocked the stuffing out of Liverpool and they registered little in the way of a fightback in the closing stages.

The result may be a seismic in the Premier League title race; could it give United the momentum they need to go on an unbeaten run? Or, might the decreased fixture congestion help Liverpool in the long run? Only time will tell.

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