100% tackles won, 2 big chances created: £51m star was United's best player vs Liverpool, he was unlucky - View

Manchester United succumbed to their second defeat of the Premier League season against Liverpool on Sunday.

The Red Devils went into the derby with plenty of optimism, considering they were unbeaten in the last three meetings in all competitions.

United started on the front foot with the majority of possession, but things went pear-shaped before the break following two errors from Casemiro.

The Brazilian star gifted possession before the Reds took the lead. Mohamed Salah delivered the assist for Luis Diaz’s headed goal in the 35th minute.

Seven minutes later, it was deja-vu. Casemiro’s slow decision-making saw Diaz’s steal possession.

The ball eventually found the path of Salah, who delivered another assist for Diaz. His first-time shot found the bottom right corner of the net.

In the second half, there was another repeat. Kobbie Mainoo lost possession this time. Salah made it 3-0 for the Reds in the space of five seconds.

United ended up losing by a three-goal margin, but things could have been entirely different, had Joshua Zirkzee converted two clear-cut chances.

There were some questions raised when Marcus Rashford was picked ahead of Amad Diallo, but the 26-year-old was the club’s best player yesterday.

The England international had only 33 touches in 90 minutes, but he delivered two sumptuous crosses into the six yard box, only for Zirkzee to fluff his lines.

Zirkzee hit a free header straight at goalkeeper Alisson from the first cross. For the second, he completely missed the target as the ball went wide of the far post.

Rashford has received criticism from a small section of fans and pundits over the past year. The £51 million-rated star has been made the scapegoat for the club’s poor results.

However, he was by far the best attacking outlet yesterday. The game could have had a different outlook, had Zirkzee capitalised on the two big chances created.

Rashford also won four duels and 100% of his tackles. He completed two take-ons.

United will resume Premier League action after the international break. The Red Devils will be at Southampton for an early kick-off on September 14.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Fotmob.com