Late goal by Mainoo lifts Manchester United to 3-2 win over rivals Liverpool

03 May 2026, 16:44 · CNA · Join

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Liverpool - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - May 3, 2026 Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo scores their third goal REUTERS/Chris Radburn

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Liverpool - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - May 3, 2026 Manchester United's Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro celebrate as Liverpool's Cody Gakpo looks dejected after the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Liverpool - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - May 3, 2026 Liverpool's Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo look dejected after Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo scores their third goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Liverpool - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - May 3, 2026 Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee, Kobbie Mainoo, Matheus Cunha and Casemiro celebrate after the match REUTERS/Chris Radburn

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MANCHESTER, England, May 3 : Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo struck late to seal a dramatic 3-2 Premier League victory over rivals Liverpool on Sunday as the home side secured their return to the Champions League next season after a two-year absence.

Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo had hauled Liverpool level in the second half after costly United errors, but Mainoo had the final say with a strike from the edge of the 18-yard box in the 77th minute to send Old Trafford into raptures.

The win moved third-placed United onto 64 points with three games remaining, while fourth-placed Liverpool still have work to do to clinch a place among Europe's elite next season and are level on 58 points with fifth-placed Aston Villa, who have a game in hand.

United got off to a great start, with Matheus Cunha scoring in the sixth minute and Benjamin Sesko doubling their lead eight minutes later.

Szoboszlai pulled one back in the 47th minute after Amad Diallo gave the ball away on the halfway line, and Gakpo levelled nine minutes later when Senne Lammens passed the ball straight to Alexis Mac Allister, and Gakpo slotted into the open net, setting up a nervy ending punctuated by Mainoo's heroics.

Late goal by Mainoo lifts Manchester United to 3-2 win over rivals Liverpool

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