Jamie Carragher explains why Man United’s thrilling draw with Liverpool was a ‘win’ for new boss Ruben Amorim

Jamie Carragher has heaped praise on Man United for their performance against Liverpool.

The arch-rivals played out a thrilling encounter at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, with both sides leading in the game before it ultimately ended 2-2.

The result was somewhat of a shock given United came into the clash having lost their past four games in all competitions – which included a demoralising 2-0 defeat by Newcastle last week.

Despite their dreadful form, Ruben Amorim‘s side caused table-topping Liverpool a whole host of problems and deserved their point.

Amorim has been steadfast in his desire to play his favoured 3-4-3 formation since switching Sporting Lisbon for Old Trafford in November, yet the system has regularly seen United woefully exposed.

However, Liverpool struggled to deal with United at times on Sunday and following the encounter, Carragher praised the Portuguese’s defiance over his favoured way of playing – and insisted he saw plenty of signs of progress at Anfield.  

Jamie Carragher has heaped praise on Man United for their performance against Liverpool

Carragher claimed the impressive 2-2 draw was a ‘win’ for new United boss Ruben Amorim

Amorim has been steadfast in implementing a 3-4-3 formation despite his side’s struggles

‘This (game) was almost a win for manager in terms of his system,’ he said on Monday Night Football. 

‘He hasn’t been ridiculed but he’s been questioned over whether he can play that way and if he has the players to play that system. 

‘This is a guy who’s in his third job as a manger now. He’s managed over 200 games. He’s never played a back four so forget the idea that he will change to back four. 

‘The Man United hierarchy brought him here from Sporting because of the way he played at Sporting. So they’ve got to get that right. It’s not about him changing.’

Meanwhile, Amorim has regularly referenced the lack of training time he’s had to work on his system since he joined given United’s hectic schedule.

However, United were granted six days to prepare for the Liverpool clash after they faced Newcastle last Monday.

And Carragher acknowledged the changes that had been made by Amorim and also questioned whether Liverpool struggled to deal with the challenge of coming up against something different. 

‘We’ve all been there as players when you play against a different system and you’re not quite sure whether to go there or there,’ he added. 

Liverpool struggled to deal with United at times on Sunday despite their impressive run of form

Ruben Amorim has often complained about the lack of time he has had on the training pitch

‘And that’s where Liverpool found themselves. Liverpool still should’ve won but they never quite got Man United on the rack and the Anfield crowd going because they couldn’t press and were always caught in between. 

‘That was down to the system and the work they’ve (United) done on the training pitch. 

‘And fair play to the manager, he said: “You give me time on the training pitch and I’ll make this work”.’

United return to action on Sunday afternoon when they travel to the Emirates to take on Arsenal in the FA Cup third round, while Liverpool host League Two side Accrington Stanley on Saturday.