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Manchester United has endured a tumultuous decade for the reason that retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.
Having dominated the Premier League from the beginning, United have didn’t mount a critical title cost for the reason that nice man left his publish ten years in the past.
Nevertheless, the staff has managed to supply some magical moments regardless of the struggles and right now marks the anniversary of one of many standout performances of the post-Ferguson period.
In 2015, United had been locked in a battle with arch rivals Liverpool for the highest 4 as Louis van Gaal led his troops behind enemy strains with a visit to Anfield.
Brendan Rodgers' aspect had been simply two factors behind United at kick-off and had been anticipated to pip Van Gaal's aspect into the coveted Champions League locations.
Nevertheless, issues didn’t work out that means for Rodgers, whose staff misplaced in a show of dominance hardly ever seen by a United staff at Anfield.
United took management of proceedings from the primary minute and it was a theme that may proceed till the full-time whistle.
It was additionally a career-defining day for the diminutive Spanish participant Juan Mata, who was named United's man of the match after producing a second of real magic.
His first purpose got here after a pinpoint ball from compatriot Ander Herrera, with Mata needing solely to beat opposition goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
He did so with confidence, slicing the ball previous the Belgian after 14 minutes to present United a deserved lead.
United saved Liverpool with out the ball for the remainder of the half, permitting Rodgers to play his trump card, Steven Gerrard, from the bench at half-time.
Nevertheless, as quickly as Gerrard got here onto the pitch, he was despatched off. A ridiculous stamp on Herrera simply 38 seconds into the second half noticed the membership legend see straight pink in what can be his final look towards United.
Then got here probably the most memorable second of the sport – Mata's second. And if his first was neat, his second was extraordinary.
Because the clock ticked in the direction of the hour mark, United had been meowing, with Angel Di Maria firing a ball straight previous the Spaniard, who as soon as once more headed into the Liverpool field.
The magic of Juan Mata at Anfield 🪄@juanmata8 , @man utd pic.twitter.com/V82SXEmXKS
– Premier League (@premierleague) 22 March 2024
Mata then executed a spectacular scissor kick which discovered Mignolet's backside nook and despatched the followers touring behind the purpose right into a cheer.
It was a purpose that proved to be the winner as Daniel Sturridge halved the deficit after ten minutes however United held their composure to select up three invaluable factors on the day.
United might even have afforded Wayne Rooney to overlook a penalty within the remaining minutes, which might have helped align the scoreline with the distinction at school displayed on the day.
United completed fourth within the Premier League and the wonderful performances by the Spanish star led to the delivery of the time period 'Juanfield'.