Man United vs. Liverpool score: Premier League result, stats as Mainoo seals Champions League return for Red Devils

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• Man United vs. Liverpool live score
• Latest updates, highlights and commentary
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Manchester United assured themselves of a return to the Champions League next season as the Red Devils secured victory over rivals Liverpool by a 3-2 score at home on Sunday.

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The hero of the day was Kobbie Mainoo, whose 77th-minute winner snatched all three points after United had embarrassingly coughed up a two-goal lead.

Goals from Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko in the opening 15 minutes had given the Red Devils an early and deserved lead, which they gripped to tightly as halftime arrived, dominating the Reds in all facets of the game.

Yet Dominik Szoboszlai brought Liverpool a goal back just two minutes after the second-half restart with a brilliant mazy run, and Cody Gakpo stunningly leveled the scoreline shortly thereafter as a horrific Senne Lammens error in possession allowed the Reds to negate their advantage.

Still, despite their early second-half dip, United were overall the better side, and reasserted themselves as the game dragged on. Mainoo, who had been cast out of the side by former boss Ruben Amorim, put the latest and most emphatic stamp yet on his revival under Michael Carrick with a pinpoint strike from the top of the penalty area.

The victory mathematically assured Manchester United of a top five finish in the Premier League this season, by which they have sealed a place in Europe’s top competition in the upcoming campaign.

Following up from their 2-1 victory at Anfield back in October, this win also ensured United of their first league double over Liverpool in 10 years, last done by Louis van Gaal in 2015/16.

The Sporting News is following the Man United vs. Liverpool match live, providing score updates and commentary

Man United vs. Liverpool live score

Venue: Old Trafford (Manchester, England)
Referee: Darren England

Keep track of every game and every goal via SN’s live Premier League scoreboard

Starting lineups:

Man United (4-2-3-1, right to left): 31. Lammens (GK) – 2. Dalot, 5. Maguire, 26. Heaven, 23. Shaw – 18. Casemiro, 37. Mainoo – 19. Mbeumo (Dorgu, 75′), 8. Fernandes (Yoro, 90′), 10. Cunha (Zirkzee, 87′) – 30. Sesko (Diallo, 46′).

Liverpool (4-2-3-1, right to left): 28. Woodman (GK) – 8. Szoboszlai, 5. Konate (Chiesa, 87′), 4. Van Dijk, 26. Robertson (Kerkez, 59′) – 10. Mac Allister, 38. Gravenberch – 30. Frimpong (Ngumoha, 75′), 17. Jones, 7. Wirtz – 18. Gakpo.

Man United vs. Liverpool stats

Man United vs. Liverpool live updates, highlights, and commentary

FULLTIME: Man United 3-2 Liverpool

The Red Devils have done the double over Liverpool and clinched Champions League football in the process!

It’s all over, as Kobbie Mainoo’s winner gives United the victory. The 21-year-old has come an incredibly long way from the exile he endured under Ruben Amorim, revitalised under Michael Carrick’s leadership. It now has directly translated into victory today for United, and they are mathematically ensured to be playing in the top UEFA competition next season!

86th min: Cody Gakpo is shown a yellow card for a professional foul on Casemiro in transition.

Arne Slot is going for it, as he brings on an extra attacker in Federico Chiesa to replace defender Ibrahima Konate. Michael Carrick responds by making a like-for-like change as Joshua Zirkzee replaces Matheus Cunha.

81st min: Bruno Fernandes is booked for a tackle from behind on Dominik Szoboszlai as he puts his studs into the Hungarian’s foot. There’s a VAR check for a penalty on Ayden Heaven tracking back to prevent a counter-attack goal, but there’s nothing in it and play continues.

77th min: GOAL! MAN UNITED! KOBBIE MAINOO HAS RESTORED MAN UNITED’S LEAD! The homegrown kid has arrived to save the Red Devils!

As if he had eyes on the back of his head, Casemiro ducks under a header back to the middle of the penalty area, and Mainoo comes charging onto the ball, rifling it with just enough pace that it wrong-foots a shielded Freddie Woodman and buries into the back of the net inside the far post!

Watch Mainoo goal in USA:

KOBBIE MAINOO SENDS OLD TRAFFORD INTO FRENZY WITH THE MATCH-WINNING STRIKE. 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/yGRb80MU4z

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 3, 2026

HIGHLIGHT: Watch Mainoo goal in UK | Watch in Canada

72nd min: Chance, Man United! OH NO CASEMIRO! He’s got a COMPLETELY free header off a free-kick by Bruno Fernandes, but he puts it right at Freddie Woodman! That’s a huge chance wasted!

United have lost essentially all their edge this half, as that’s their first real effort on goal. While the scoreline has not been threatened by Liverpool since they drew level, there’s been a nervousness about the play of the hosts on both ends of the pitch. Can that opportunity give them renewed life?

59th min: Milos Kerkez will come on for Liverpool in place of Andy Robertson, possibly with Liverpool now holding the game by the scruff of the neck and Arne Slot seeking a go-ahead goal.

56th min: GOAL! LIVERPOOL! OH DEAR! CODY GAKPO BRINGS LIVERPOOL LEVEL AFTER A HUGE ERROR FROM SENNE LAMMENS!!!!!

Under basically no pressure, the Manchester United goalkeeper passes it STRAIGHT to Dominik Szoboszlai out of the back, and he feeds it to Gakpo for the finish! What a MONUMENTAL gaffe!!!!!

After that first half, who would have thought it would be this easy for Liverpool to bring the game back level??

Watch Gakpo goal in USA:

LIVERPOOL LEVEL IT! 🔥
Cody Gakpo’s equalizer SILENCES a once-comfortable Old Trafford. pic.twitter.com/rTVulGt0or

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 3, 2026

HIGHLIGHT: Watch Gakpo goal in UK | Watch in Canada

50th min: GOAL! LIVERPOOL! DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI HAS DRAGGED LIVERPOOL BACK INTO THE MATCH ALL BY HIMSELF!

A truly incredible solo goal from the Hungarian sees the Reds back within one, as he goes weaving through midfield and charges into the penalty area before finishing expertly inside the far post! What a delicious, mazy run!

Watch Szoboszlai goal in USA:

Dominik Szoboszlai with the brilliant & tidy finish for Liverpool! 👏 pic.twitter.com/Lo8LzTHKuA

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 3, 2026

HIGHLIGHT: Watch Szoboszlai goal in UK | Watch in Canada

2nd half kickoff: They’re back under way at Old Trafford. How will Arne Slot get the Reds back into the match?

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Oddly, it’s Manchester United who make a halftime change, as Amad Diallo comes on to replace Benjamin Sesko. United fans will hope that’s down to Carrick hoping to get Amad a chance to shine, rather than an injury to their goal scoring striker. It’s possible that he was injured when he went flying into the advertising boards after a push from Ibrahima Konate.

HALFTIME: Man United 2-0 Liverpool

Manchester United lead by a pair after 45 minutes, and they fully deserve that advantage. It’s been a dominant first half, with the Red Devils looking stronger in all phases of the game. Liverpool gave it a run at scoring a goal and getting back in it, but were utterly outmatched in the final third. Michael Carrick has Man United flying right now!

40th min: Manchester United have taken the sting out of the match after their second goal, and Liverpool have begun to work very hard hoping to get back into the match, but have had very little end product to show for it. They’ve barely even cracked the Man United penalty area. Liverpool lack any attacking edge without their main strikers.

27th min: Chance, Man United! Bruno Fernandes comes very close to a third for Man United! A first-time Bryan Mbeumo cross is behind Benjamin Sesko, but Fernandes comes crashing onto the effort and blasts it with serious venom just wide of the right stick!

This has been all Red Devils so far, as Liverpool have hardly been at the races at all!

14th min: GOAL! MAN UNITED! BENJAMIN SESKO BUNDLES THE BALL HOME ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT!

On the counter, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha combine down the right to feed Sesko in front, but it’s saved by Freddie Woodman as the United striker calls for a penalty. The rest of the team soldiers on, and the ball is floated to the back post where Fernandes is waiting, and he heads it across to the front of goal to Sesko. Woodman saves it as the two come together a second time, but it then comes back off Sesko’s chest and into the back of the net!

There’s a frustratingly lengthy VAR check for handball on Sesko, but the video is far from conclusive, and eventually the goal is confirmed! Fernandes does NOT get credited with an assist because of the touch off the goalkeeper which negates the feed as Sesko required a second touch to get the ball in.

Watch Sesko goal in USA:

MAN UNITED ARE FLYING. 🪽
VAR clears a possible handball as Benjamin Šeško DOUBLES the Man United lead! pic.twitter.com/zcVYQ9YQnj

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 3, 2026

HIGHLIGHT: Watch Sesko goal in UK | Watch in Canada

6th min: GOAL! MAN UNITED! MATHEUS CUNHA STRIKES ON HIS RETURN FROM INJURY! Manchester United have started this match with the higher energy, and it’s resulted in an early advantage!

Bryan Mbeumo takes a corner that’s been cleared out to Cunha at the top of the penalty area, and while his first effort is blocked, it falls right back into his lap to give him another whack, and it takes a deflection off Alexis Mac Allister into the back of the net!

Liverpool want it negated for offside, but VAR does not agree! The goal stands!

Watch Cunha goal in USA:

Matheus Cunha would NOT be denied & Man United are dancing early. 🕺 pic.twitter.com/gLdot2eogK

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) May 3, 2026

HIGHLIGHT: Watch Cunha goal in UK | Watch in Canada

Kickoff: They’re under way at Old Trafford! One of the most intense rivalries in English football is set to experience its latest thrill!

Man United vs. Liverpool: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more

5 mins to kickoff: News has broken that Sir Alex Ferguson was in attendance at the match, but was feeling unwell and was taken to a nearby hospital. A report from the Daily Mail suggests that the former Manchester United manager was given medical attention «as a precaution» and the club are «optimistic he will soon be recuperating at home.»

Good to hear the 84-year-old is doing ok after what might have been a bit scary.

15 mins to kickoff: Diego Forlan has returned to Old Trafford where he scored against Liverpool in the Europa League, bagging both goals across their two semifinal legs in 2010 to defeat the Reds and reach the final.

Forlan had an incredible record against the Reds in his short time at Man United, also scoring a brace at Anfield in a 2-1 Premier League win for United.

Diego Forlan introduced to the crowd 23-and-a-half years after his matchwinning goals at Anfield #mufc pic.twitter.com/YHPtHIE593

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) May 3, 2026

30 mins to kickoff: Michael Carrick has ushered Manchester United to the brink of Champions League qualification. Should he get the Red Devils permanent job this summer?

The Sporting News broke down this question back in early March, determining that it was promising but still too early to make the call. What about now? Has the answer changed?

45 mins to kickoff: There’s one youngster on the bench for Liverpool of particular interest, as 18-year-old Will Wright will have a chance to make his Liverpool debut today. He has four goals and five assists in 14 Premier League 2 appearances this season.

With no Alexander Isak, today is a massive opportunity for Will Wright 👀 pic.twitter.com/z5prJXmlQm

— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) May 3, 2026

1 hour to kickoff: Liverpool have a pair of absences that will loom large today. First, with Giorgi Mamardashvili out injured, the Reds were hoping that Alisson could return in a timely fashion, but he has failed to pass fit for duty, meaning Freddie Woodman is the man in goal.

The 29-year-old journeyman came through the Newcastle youth system and has played for Hartlepool, Crawley Town, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, Swansea, Bournemouth, and Preston before signing for Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer of 2025.

Also missing today is Alexander Isak whose injury-plagued season continues as he misses out with a minor groin injury, which is being called «precautionary.» Even with Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah both out as well, Rio Ngumoha still can’t get a spot in the Liverpool XI, with Cody Gakpo deployed up front.

Lineups: The team news is in! For Manchester United, Benjamins Sesko starts up front, with Aiden Heaven along the back next to Harry Maguire. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are both also in the XI, which sends Amad Diallo back to the bench.

For Liverpool, Freddie Woodman is in goal with both Alisson and Giorgi Mamardashvili unavailable due to injury. One of Curtis Jones or Dominik Szoboszlai are deployed at right-back while the other will serve as the No. 10, while Jeremie Frimpong will handle duties out wide on the wing.

2 hours before kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of Manchester United vs. Liverpool in the Premier League. United’s Champions League place is virtually assured, while Liverpool would have to collapse terribly not to make it at this point. This one is primarily about bragging rights, along with being Michael Carrick’s latest chance to make a big pitch fir the Red Devils’ job on a long-term basis.

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Man United vs. Liverpool kick off time

This Premier League match kicks off in Manchester at 3:30 p.m. local time.

Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:

Man United vs. Liverpool match facts

• The most recent outing saw Manchester United produce one of their rare famous wins under Ruben Amorim as they pinched a 2-1 victory at Anfield.
• In the past eight meetings between these two sides, Manchester United have won three with Liverpool winning two.
• Overall, Man United and Liverpool have played each other on 245 occasions with United winning 92 of those and Liverpool coming out on top in 82 games.

Man United vs. Liverpool team news

Man United

• Matheus Cunha was a surprise absentee against Brentford and the Brazil international attacker remains a doubt for this one.
• Luke Shaw was forced off against the Bees and he is now also a major doubt.
• The other injury issues for the hosts include the absences of defensive duo Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt.

Liverpool

• Mohamed Salah is sidelined with a hamstring injury but Liverpool said this week that they expected the Egypt star to return to action before his departure at the end of this season.
• Alexander Isak appeardx to be discovering a bit of form, which was required after Hugo Ekitike’s season was ended prematurely due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. But the Sweden international is out after suffering a groin injury in training.
• In goal, Alisson returned to training last week and was thought ready to come back into the XI ahead of Freddie Woodman, with Giorgi Mamardashvili out injured, but it’s Woodman instead who gets the start.

Man United vs. Liverpool live stream, TV channel

Here is how to watch the match in some of the world’s major regions: