Manchester United can't ignore Raphael Varane any longer

Manchester United secured a hard-fought point as they held Liverpool to a goalless draw at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday. In a game with few clear-cut chances, Erik ten Hag's side defended well to frustrate their opponents, with Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans standing out in particular.

On another day, United might have lost the match, but they will also argue that they could have won the encounter themselves through the chances they created on the counter-attack.

The task now will be for United to build upon the point and look to secure all three when they travel to face West Ham on Saturday afternoon. Here are the main talking points from the match:

PLAYER RATINGS: Varane and Onana good in Liverpool draw

MATCH REACTION: Keane gives verdict on Mainoo

McTominay mystery continues

Scott McTominay has scored plenty of goals this season but his attacking intent has often come at the cost of control in midfield. He is a player who has often thrived in chaotic football. Part of the problem is that he clearly prefers to have the freedom to attack but has been expected to defend, which regularly exposes his shortcomings.

There has been a train of thought that he would be better playing in the Bruno Fernandes role and on Sunday he finally got that chance with the club captain suspended. McTominay might have replaced him as the captain at Anfield, but it is clear that he is not a natural alternative at No. 10.

He spurned a brilliant opportunity to pick out Rasmus Hojlund on the break and lacked the killer passing required, while his industrious workrate was also missed due to the demands on him higher up the pitch.

United's lack of a Fernandes replacement was always going to be exposed when they were reluctant to