Manchester United produced another stunning comeback at Old Trafford, coming from two goals down to beat Liverpool 4-2 and lift themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone, easing the pressure on head coach Michael Carrick.
Carrick, who had been on the brink for weeks, again found a way out as United secured a third rescue act in two games. The head coach looked calm as he lifted one figure into the air, but the victory masks deep-rooted problems at the club.
Another Houdini act
After four minutes, United were 2-0 down. Alysson beat Diogo Dalot to John McGinn's pass and his snap-shot squirmed under Senne Lammens after 60 seconds. After three minutes and 40 seconds, Lammens spilled an Alysson shot and Nicolas Jackson tapped home from close range.
Old Trafford was mutinous again, with green and gold balloons bouncing around the Stretford End. But just as they had done against Roma, United started playing two goals down. Matheus Cunha won a penalty that Bruno Fernandes converted, and United produced their best attacking spell in the Premier League since beating Ipswich at the end of August.
Patrick Dorgu rescued United on the stroke of half-time, slamming a left-footed shot beyond Zion Suzuki from the edge of the box after good work by Noussair Mazraoui to draw United level.
Self-sabotage after the break
Having done the hard work, United conceded twice in the first eight minutes of the second half. Dalot brought Alysson down with a lazy tackle, McGinn netting the penalty, before Leny Yoro headed against his own crossbar and Leon Goretzka pounced on the rebound.
The game was drifting until Joshua Zirkzee scored in the 92nd minute, before Dorgu got Carrick's finger wagging four minutes later to complete the comeback.
Relegation battle looms
United are more than a quarter into the Premier League season and find themselves mired in a relegation battle. They are clinging on, just as their manager is. This was the fifth game since United drew 1-1 at Leeds and Carrick declared it a "fresh start" after the game. They have conceded 15 goals since then.
Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada have watched a crisis unfold before them twice this week, but they have now surely been saved from a decision that would only make their own positions untenable. The Old Trafford faithful have made it clear where they think the blame lies for the shambolic state of the club, and it is not at the feet of Carrick, who was serenaded once again during and after the game.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe was barracked and abused in his absence once again, as were the Glazers, and supporters again made it clear they want nothing to do with a new stadium. The win means Carrick will almost certainly survive the international break, but the flaws remain evident, and although it is not all on the head coach, he needs to show more as well.
