United aim to extend lunchtime run
Manchester United have won each of our five Saturday lunchtime kick-offs since the start of last season.
The Reds' next assignment is taking on West Ham United at their London Stadium, with the 12:30 GMT kick-off presenting an opportunity to follow up the draw at Liverpool with a victory that would get Erik ten Hag's team firmly back on track in the Premier League.
Opta have reported that we are on a good run in these fixtures that kickstart the weekend, so we decided to look at them in a bit more detail, as we strive to make it six wins on the spin in the early matches.
90 in 20: Fulham v United
90 in 20 | Extended highlights from the Reds' trip to Craven Cottage are available to watch now...
Our only previous game in this slot in 2023/24 came at Craven Cottage, and it was a dramatic affair. Skipper Bruno Fernandes kept his composure to fire home the late winner to take all three points from a hard-fought encounter.
Facundo Pellistri provided the injury-time assist as the deadlock was broken at the death, with Bruno's shot beating Bernd Leno and sending the away fans into delirium for the second season running down by the Thames, after Alejandro Garnacho's heroics in 2022/23.
Last April, the Reds overcame the Merseysiders to move into third spot in the table.
United peppered Jordan Pickford's goal and Scott McTominay made the breakthrough in the first half, blasting home a pass by Jadon Sancho. A slip by Toffees defender Seamus Coleman allowed Marcus Rashford to take advantage by teeing up Anthony Martial for the clincher in the 71st minute.
14/1/23: MANCHESTER CITY (H) 2-1
A win was that as sweet as they come, as United completed a memorable comeback to take the derby spoils. Jack Grealish put the Blues ahead on the hour mark but the equaliser was supplied by Fernandes, with the goal awarded despite City's protestations that an offside Rashford was interfering with play, even if he did not touch the ball.
Our homegrown hero then provided the finishing touch past Ederson, when Garnacho crossed from the left, to prompt wild scenes of celebration at the Theatre of Dreams.
90 in 20: United v City
90 in 20 | Watch the extended highlights of United's blood-and-thunder victory over Man City in January...
Our final game of 2022 was not a classic but a priceless victory was secured, thanks to substitute Rashford's 76th-minute winner. The England international started on the bench after being late for a team meeting, yet he showed his character by combining well with Fernandes before beating Jose Sa.
Only a VAR intervention denied Marcus a second at Molineux, after replays showed the ball may have accidentally hit his arm, but it did not affect the outcome in the end.
Another useful win on the road, as the Reds travelled back from the south coast with all three points. Fernandes was the matchwinner, arriving 10 minutes into the second half to finish off a cross by fellow Portugal international Diogo Dalot.
The visitors, wearing the green kit for the first time, handed a debut to Casemiro and managed to shut out the Saints, including seeing through six minutes of stoppage time.