Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool result - Kobbie Mainoo nets winner as Man Utd secure Champions League qualification in five-goal thriller

Kobbie Mainoo scored the winner as Manchester United clinched qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League with a stunning 3-2 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford.

In doing so, the Red Devils completed their first Premier League double over Liverpool in a decade and opened up a six-point gap to their bitter rivals.

Matheus Cunha, back from injury, got United off to a flying start as he netted the opening goal just eight minutes in. The shot took a wicked deflection off Alexis Mac Allister as Cunha netted his ninth of the season.

Benjamin Sesko then doubled Man Utd’s lead on 14 minutes, bundling the ball into the net after Freddie Woodman flapped at a low Bruno Fernandes cross.

United captain Fernandes wanted that to be his 20th Premier League assist of the campaign to equal Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s record, but the touch from Woodman stripped that away.

It looked like there was no way back for Liverpool but Arne Slot’s half-time team talk seemingly had a huge impact, as the Reds struck a quickfire double to turn the game on its head after the interval.

Dominik Szoboszlai made it 2-1 on 47 minutes as he intercepted an Amad Diallo pass on halfway and powered forward, dribbling all the way into the United box and nutmegging Diogo Dalot to find the bottom corner.

Cody Gakpo then levelled the scoring at 2-2 nine minutes later, making the most of an awful Senne Lammens giveaway. Mac Allister pounced on Lammens’ poor pass out and Szoboszlai then squared to Gakpo for an open goal.

United hadn’t lost a home top-flight match when leading at half-time since May 1984 and that long-standing run looked under threat as Liverpool pushed for a winner.

But the hosts had the last laugh as Mainoo fired in a dramatic winner on 78 minutes, cushioning into the bottom left with great composure when Mac Allister could only clear as far as the edge of the box.

The Stretford End went wild as Mainoo’s strike nestled. The midfielder's future was uncertain under Ruben Amorim, but Michael Carrick has helped the 12-time England international turn it all around.

What better way for Mainoo to celebrate his new contract than to score the winner against Liverpool? It's what dreams are made of.

Match-winner Kobbie Mainoo believes interim manager Michael Carrick has played a pivotal role in United's redemption arc.

Mainoo told Sky Sports: "To be able to turn it around like we have done is a credit to the players and the manager.

"We just want to keep winning. It was difficult, of course, any time when you're not playing football but I've just kept my head down and kept working.

"He's played a huge part [Michael Carrick], the confidence he puts into us, not just me. You want to follow him and fight for him.

"It's a blessing to play here and to score here. It's unbelievable. I used to dream of times like this.

"I'm proud to be here, and hopefully there's more happy memories to come."

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That's that!

Manchester United get one over their bitter rivals and clinch Champions League qualification for next season.

What a game that was! Make sure to stick around for all the reaction.

Bruno Fernandes receives a huge applause as he's replaced by Lenny Yoro for the final minute.

With Fernandes back on his feet, United are backs to the wall as they seek to hold onto the three points.

Liverpool are throwing everything at this.

United are briefly defending with 10 men as Bruno Fernandes stays down after taking a tumble in the Liverpool box.

Fernandes scuffed a shot that looped and was saved by Woodman, but he felt there was contact before he pulled the trigger.

VAR take a brief look but it's overlooked. Rightfully so.

The fourth official indicates there will be five minutes of stoppage time.

Can Liverpool find an equaliser?

It's a poor finish from Dorgu as he drags wide from just outside the area.

That gives Liverpool back possession.

Slot is going for it, and why not?

Speedy winger Federico Chiesa is on for central defender Ibrahima Konate.

Cunha, who got this thriller started with the first goal, receives a standing ovation as he's replaced by Joshua Zirkzee.

This game is getting feisty in the final exchanges, with Gakpo the latest in the book.

Ngumoha has his first proper skip inside and he very nearly finds the far bottom corner with a low, curling strike.

Lammens is relieved to see the ball bounce wide of the post.

Bruno Fernandes sees yellow for a reckless diving tackle on Szoboszlai.

The Portuguese is perhaps lucky to not see red as there was plenty of force and intent behind that, right down the back of Szoboszlai's ankle.

United are back ahead and the Stretford End goes wild!

Kobbie Mainoo fires in on the half-volley from just outside the box, a composed finish into the bottom left.

It was poor from Alexis Mac Allister as it was his failed clearance that allowed Mainoo to strike.

How big of a goal could that be?

There's a substitution for the Red Devils, too, as Mbeumo is off for Patrick Dorgu.

Liverpool are hoping for some late magic from 17-year-old sensation Rio Ngumoha, who comes on to replace Frimpong.

Curtis Jones man-handles Cunha to stop a counter-attack and is shown the yellow card for his troubles.

That simply had to go in from Casemiro, who heads straight at Woodman from close range.

Fernandes curled in a teasing cross from a free-kick and Casemiro was all on his own, but the finish was straight at the Liverpool goalkeeper.

Had it been directed either side, it would have been 3-2. Anyone's game, this.

Szoboszlai whips in a ferocious deep free-kick and United panic as it pinballs around the six-yard box.

There's then a last-ditch clearance on the line by Lammens. Liverpool are getting closer to a winner, here.