Fernandes says frustrated Anfield helped Manchester United - ESPN

Bruno Fernandes said Manchester United's first win at Anfield since January of 2016 was helped by Liverpool fans showing frustration with their own team in the first half due to their failure to put Ruben Amorim's side under pressure.

Harry Maguire's 84th-minute header sealed a 2-1 win for United after Cody Gakpo had cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo's second-minute opener for the visitors. United's win enabled Amorim to record back-to-back league victories for the first time since he arrived from Sporting CP last November and also consigned Liverpool to a fourth successive defeat in all competitions.

Liverpool last lost five successive games in September of 1953, so Arne Slot's side will travel to Eintracht Frankfurt for Wednesday's Champions League clash aiming to avoid a defeat that would equal their worst run for 72 years.

And United captain Fernandes said that the anxiety of the home fans contributed to his team's win against Liverpool.

«In the first 10 minutes we knew they [Liverpool] would try to start the game very strong,» Fernandes told Sky Sports. «Also in the first half, we understood that they were under pressure when they had time on the ball, the fans were putting them in a difficult position and booing for them to play quicker.

»We wanted to slow their game and we knew that would give massive spaces around the middle. In the second half we could have played a little bit more on the ball.

«We know what it means for the fans and the club to play these rivalries. We wanted to do it because it is a long time since the club won at Anfield.

»It is very important, so I am very happy to do it today."

United's win takes them to within two points of fourth-placed Liverpool and raises the prospects of Amorim's team