On May 3, 2026, Kobbie Mainoo scored the winning goal in the final minutes of a thrilling match at Old Trafford, leading Manchester United to a 3-2 victory over their historic rivals Liverpool. This match was pivotal not only for the teams involved but also for the ongoing Premier League season, as it marked a significant achievement for Manchester United.
Manchester United started strong, with Matheus Cunha finding the back of the net in the sixth minute, followed by Benjamin Sesko who doubled the lead just eight minutes later. Liverpool responded after halftime when Dominik Szoboszlai scored in the 47th minute, and Cody Gakpo equalized shortly thereafter in the 56th minute. However, Mainoo’s decisive strike in the 77th minute ultimately secured all three points for United.
Key match facts:
- Matheus Cunha opened the scoring in the sixth minute.
- Benjamin Sesko added a second goal in the fourteenth minute.
- Dominik Szoboszlai scored for Liverpool in the forty-seventh minute.
- Cody Gakpo equalized for Liverpool in the fifty-sixth minute.
- Kobbie Mainoo scored the winner in the seventy-seventh minute.
This victory propelled Manchester United to third place in the Premier League standings with 64 points from 35 matches, while Liverpool remained fourth with 58 points, tied with Aston Villa. Observers noted that this win marked an important milestone as it was the first time in a decade that Manchester United defeated Liverpool both home and away during a Premier League season.
The match took place under somber circumstances as Sir Alex Ferguson was taken to hospital before kick-off after feeling unwell. Ferguson managed Manchester United from 1986 until 2013 and is widely regarded as one of football’s greatest managers. Reports indicated he was conscious and undergoing precautionary checks at the time.
As for what lies ahead, Manchester United will look to build on this momentum as they aim for Champions League qualification while Liverpool seeks to recover quickly from this setback and maintain their push for European competition next season.
