1. United are not title challengers yet
United’s sixth straight win opened up a 10-point gap over of top four challengers Liverpool. Louis Van Gaal’s men are just eight points behind league leaders Chelsea, which has led some to suggest that United may mount a strong title challenge.
The potential is there but United’s current performances prove that Van Gaal’s side are miles behind Chelsea and Manchester City. They have been allowing opponents too many chances and they have recently benefited from poor finishing from their opponents as well. That is not good enough for a successful title challenge.
They need to perform better than they did when they defeated Stoke City, Southampton and Liverpool. They need Angel Di Maria and the full-backs fit, plus a steady centre-back partner for Phil Jones to fix their problems at the back.
2. Liverpool’s defeat overrides the progress they have made
Brendan Rodgers’ side came into this game with a leaky defence, a midfield that did not create enough chances and an attack that struggles for goals. They at least made progress in one area as they managed to create a lot of good chances at Old Trafford.
The key for the Reds is to build on that positive change. Liverpool need to keep creating chances like they did in this game while they work on their finishing and their defending.
3. Young and Valencia hold the key to United’s success in a 3-5-2 formation
Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young were the difference offensively for United as they provided the service for the first two goals that killed the game. The problem for Young and Valencia is that they do not frequently charge down the flanks and provide those good crosses.
Young can provide good quality crosses with both feet and Valencia is still the same player who was arguably the best natural winger in the Premier League in 2011. They have the quality and United have the top class finishers. All Young and Valencia need to do is to frequently get that service into the box.
4. Maybe Brendan Rodgers should have opted for a different game to drop Simon Mignolet
Rodgers had to drop Mignolet from the firing line at some point because his mistakes were not good club or player, but making the change in one of the biggest games of the season may not have been good for Brad Jones and the team either.
Jones had not featured in the Premier League since March 2013 and within 12 minutes of the game the second-choice keeper was wrong-footed for Wayne Rooney’s opener. He made a good reflex save in the second-half but the game was just a bit too much for a goalkeeper just stepping up.
5. This was a deserved clean sheet for David De Gea
There is no doubt that De Gea is arguably the best goalkeeper in the league now but keepers treasure clean sheets and he has not managed to get as many as he deserves this term. That makes this game special for him.
The Spaniard has had a few clean sheets against teams like Burnley, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace but there were some games like the 2-1 wins over Southampton, West Ham, Arsenal and Everton when De Gea impressively made decisive saves that kept United in the game but he could not keep a clean sheet.
