Winning against Liverpool right at Anfield, a place where MU had been defeated for almost ten years, gave Ruben Amorim his first consecutive Premier League victories.
But after the excitement, the major question still lingers: Is this the beginning of a new chapter or just a brief shining moment?
Better late than never
Before the match, few believed MU could leave Anfield with full joy. Despite their crisis, Liverpool remains one of England’s toughest opponents. Yet, just 62 seconds in, Bryan Mbeumo silenced the crowd with the opening goal. When Cody Gakpo equalized in the 78th minute, many expected the usual scenario: United collapsing at the end. But no. Six minutes later, Harry Maguire rose high to head past Mamardashvili, sealing a 2-1 victory and ending a nine-year winless streak at Anfield.
Amorim embraced his players in the rain, flashing a rare smile. "If you have the spirit, you can beat anyone," he said. This was the first time MU achieved two consecutive Premier League wins under Amorim — a small number but one with great psychological significance.
Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation, flexibly shifting to 5-4-1 in defense, proved highly effective. Dalot, moved to the left flank, neutralized Mohamed Salah. Amad Diallo—surprisingly deployed as right wing-back—created the chance leading to the opening goal. Matheus Cunha, playing as a "false nine," moved intelligently, creating space for teammates.
The team fought as if they had nothing to lose: solid defense, sharp counterattacks, enduring pressure, then striking decisively at the right moment. Casemiro brought experience to midfield, Mason Mount revived the form that once made him sought after at Chelsea, and young goalkeeper Senne Lammens delivered an incredibly confident performance. After many failed experiments, Amorim finally found a balance between organization and spirit.
In the main stand, Sir Alex Ferguson smiled, sharing a box of chocolates with Kenny Dalglish. A gentle image recalling golden days: United once again knew how to hurt their eternal rivals on their own turf.
The win over Liverpool might just be MU’s brightest moment for now
True grit or just temporary?
The victory over Liverpool temporarily lifted the heavy pressure on Ruben Amorim after months of criticism. Previously, he was heavily criticized for poor results and even publicly admitted, "my team might be the worst in MU’s history." Sir Jim Ratcliffe had to assure Amorim would get three years to rebuild. But Amorim himself knew that losing at Anfield could instantly erase all promises.
Therefore, this win was crucial. It not only helped MU overcome a crisis but also gave Amorim a chance to stamp his personal mark. "Forget Top 4, Top 6," he said after the match. "The only thing we need is to win three games in a row."
This statement shows Amorim’s realism. He clearly understands MU is not yet stable enough to aim higher. Recent history shows the "Red Devils" often perform well against big teams but drop points against weaker sides. Under Ten Hag, they defeated Arsenal and Man City but then lost to Brighton and Brentford. Now, Amorim faces the risk of repeating this cycle unless he quickly establishes necessary stability.
Harry Maguire, the match hero, was also blunt: "It’s embarrassing that winning two games in a row is considered an achievement. It shows we are still far from true quality."
The truth is MU has not yet shaken off its chronic issues: lacking courage in smaller matches and lacking ideas when attacking proactively. They often shine under pressure but struggle when opponents cede control. Upcoming games against Brighton, Nottingham Forest, and Tottenham will be a real test of Amorim’s adaptability.
The Portuguese coach remained calm when asked if the "storm" had passed: "I don’t know. But if we keep the spirit we showed today, in training and matches, we will win more games."
These are the words of a realist. Amorim knows Anfield cannot be the final destination. It is just a beginning, a sign that MU still has the fighting spirit and potential to be reborn. But to turn that moment into the foundation of a new era, they need more than emotion. They need consistency and the resilience of a team that wins on ordinary days, not just shines in big matches.
M.Vũ