On March 5, Manchester United will face one of the most uncomfortable rivals in the English Premier League. The Devils not infrequently beat Liverpool at home, but away from home their stats look dismal. For seven games in a row, Manchester United cannot defeat the Merseysiders at Anfield, and the last victory dates back to 2016. And what was the composition of the Mancunians like then? And what happened to them seven years later?
Goalkeeper: David de Gea
In 2016, David de Gea was just a good and main Manchester United goalkeeper, and now he has become a true legend of the club, so the match with Liverpool will be Manchester United’s 525th. In that game he made four saves, thanks to which the Merseysiders opened the door. Will he take it out again?
Right back: Ashley Young
Out of position, very tight, but Ashley Young, who did not lose momentum, loaned nine seasons to Manchester United before leaving for Inter. In Italy he played half a year, but the greatness of the Premier League again attracted the Englishman, and he signed a contract with Aston Villa, where he still plays an important role at the age of 37.
Center Back #1: Chris Smalling
Smalling had brilliant spells at Manchester United, but general instability convinced club bosses to sell him to Roma, where he reunited with José Mourinho a few years later.
The English defender has adapted well to Serie A, where he now has a real chance of holding on to the Champions League.
Center Back #2: Daly Blind
Daly Blind took an incredibly strange path that was hard to imagine in 2016. With Louis van Gaal, he was the main central defender, after which he lost his place in the base and returned to Ajax.
In one of the games he collapsed on the field due to heart problems, he was saved by a miracle, but Blind not only returned to big football, but also earned a call from Bayern, where he is spending this season.
Left back: Matteo Darmian
Manchester United paid 18 million euros for this defender, but he never became the protagonist. Even in that same game against Liverpool, he just replaced Luke Shaw.
Four years later, for just 2.5 million euros, he returned to Torino, but his career did not decline, and he rose again, signing a contract with Inter. And at the Milanese club, together with former Manchester United partner Ashley Young, he won the Scudetto.
Defensive Midfielder #1: Morgan Schneiderlin
One of the most “grey” transfers of Manchester United, which is even difficult to characterize. Morgan did not fail, but he did not make a difference in the field either. He definitely did not return 35 million euros, but even 18 million, for which he managed to give it to Everton two years later, can be considered a good amount.
After the Premier League, the Frenchman played for Nice, and in the last winter transfer window, he was loaned out to major Australian league Western. And he is only 33 years old.
Defensive Midfielder #2: Marouane Fellaini
In 2016, it was the owner of the magnificent head of hair who gave the decisive assist, thanks to which the guests beat the hosts – 1:0. Fellini brought a lot of benefits to Manchester United, and even lasted six years at the club, which is very worthy for an unstable club and a constant change of coaches, and in 2019 he decided to take care of financial well-being by choosing a Chinese club for himself.
For the past four seasons, the midfielder has played for Shandong, where he has won three trophies.
Right midfield: Jesse Lingard
Jesse Lingard is the English analogue of Russian passports, who was called promising until the age of 27-28, but never managed to develop his potential.
In 2022 he joined Nottingham Forrest, for whom he has yet to score a single Premier League goal.
Attacking midfielder: Ander Herrera
The Spaniard’s career at Manchester United has also proven controversial. He scored and gave passes infrequently, but he was almost the main “engine” of the midfield, which brought a lot of benefits. In the match with Liverpool he ran 72 minutes, after which he was replaced by Memphis Depay.
After the Premier League, he went to PSG for free, and this winter Ander returned to his almost native Athletic, where his great career was born.
Left midfielder: Anthony Martial
The “devils” paid 60 million euros for the talented Frenchman, and in the first season he began to justify them. In the match with Liverpool he did not know how to stand out, but in total in his debut season he accumulated 11 + 5 in “goal + pass”.
After that, the Frenchman spent a few more seasons but faded away in 2020. Martial even went on loan to Sevilla, but to no avail. Erik ten Hag does not mention Anthony either, which is why the expensive footballer has been polishing the bench for most of the year.
Forward: Wayne Rooney
Just think about it: Manchester United last beat Liverpool at Anfield when Wayne Rooney was still in the team. Over the years, the great English striker has already managed to return to Everton, play in MLS, finish his career at Derby County and then spend three years as head coach.
It was Wayne’s goal that became decisive in that meeting with Liverpool. And, so far, there hasn’t been another hero in Manchester.
