Ruben Amorim travels to Liverpool on Sunday trying to become the first United manager to earn three points at their bitter rivals’ home since Louis van Gaal in early 2016
The only Manchester United victory of the past decade came when Marouane Fellaini’s header powered Juan Mata’s cross on to the bar and Wayne Rooney hooked the rebound in on 78 minutes to give the visiting Evertonian a particular thrill. Victory lifted Louis van Gaal’s team to fifth, and sank Jürgen Klopp’s team to ninth. Yet by the summer the Dutchman was sacked despite May’s FA Cup final triumph after United finished fifth, missing out on fourth on goal difference. In June Klopp, who guided Liverpool to eighth in his first part season in charge, signed a new six-year deal. “His leadership will be critical to everything we hope to achieve,” said the club.
José Mourinho, Van Gaal’s successor, administered a classic smothering job as Ander Herrera stymied the threat of Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, and David de Gea made two fine second-half stops from Emre Can and Coutinho. Mourinho oversaw a 35% possession count – United’s lowest since records began – and said: “That was probably the quietest Anfield I had.” Klopp said: “No one will show this game in 10 or 20 years but we could have played better.” Liverpool finished the season fourth, United sixth.
