Manchester United clinched a place in next season's Champions League with a dramatic 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday. Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko put United 2-0 ahead within the first 15 minutes.

However, defensive lapses after the break allowed Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo to level the score for Liverpool. The winner came from Kobbie Mainoo, who coolly slotted home from the edge of the box in the 75th minute.

The victory ends United's two-year absence from Europe's elite competition and strengthens interim manager Michael Carrick's case to remain in charge next season. Carrick has now overseen wins over Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool.

Mainoo, named man of the match, praised Carrick's impact. "The confidence in not just me, but all the players. You want to follow him and fight for him," Mainoo told Sky Sports. "That's what we showed today."

Liverpool, despite their 11th league defeat, need just three points from their remaining three games to also secure Champions League football. In Sunday's earlier match, Bournemouth thrashed Crystal Palace 3-0 to boost their European hopes.

Source: www.aljazeera.com