Amorim secures biggest win of Man Utd reign so far, now this must be lift-off

 After so many false dawns, false hopes and even false number nines do Manchester United finally, finally have lift-off under Ruben Amorim?

A first win away at Liverpool since 2016 is an extraordinary place to gain United’s first back-to-back victories in the Premier League under the Portuguese coach but it will be the manner of it, as much as the points, that will add to the euphoria.

Last December, Amorim warned that a “storm was coming” at United. How prescient that proved as a fraught campaign unfolded and the pressure grew.

At Anfield, to borrow the lyrics from You’ll Never Walk Alone, they will hope they have walked through that storm.

For the champions this was, just as extraordinarily, a fourth defeat in a row and a third in the league. It was also the most damaging one of all because it came at home, after three away matches, and because it was inflicted by United and because the frustration was palpable inside the stadium.

As Liverpool chased the game, Arne Slot withdrew Mohammed Salah who had missed a glorious chance with only the goalkeeper to beat at the back post. It captured Salah’s problems at present but it still felt like a big moment when he was substituted.

Only twice before – in 1996-97 and 2000-01 – has a side lost three Premier League games in succession and gone on to win the title. That was United under Sir Alex Ferguson who was in attendance here and even shared a bag of chocolate buttons with Sir Kenny Dalglish at half-time. For Ferguson the result will have made them all the sweeter.

The match-winner was Harry Maguire – who missed a sitter when he had the chance to win this fixture last season - as Amorim’s side demonstrated greater resilience and belief than they have shown for a long time after being pegged back by Liverpool.

Maguire stood motionless with his arms outstretched in front of the United fans after he headed in Bruno Fernandes’ volleyed cross. It felt like the fact it was Maguire who scored, a player who has had his own trials and tribulations but bounced back, was even more significant for United.

And for Amorim. Even selecting Maguire at the heart of his three-man defence, with Matthijs de Ligt moved to the right, raised eyebrows. But, by the end, it was fully vindicated. As were Amorim’s tactics and, over the months, his apparent belligerence.

The issue now is whether United can build on this. They have stood accused, not least under Amorim, of only turning up for the big games – although they have not always done that – but they must push on.

It makes their next game, at home to Brighton next Saturday tea-time, huge. But not as huge as this as Amorim’s name rang out for the United supporters who would be forgiven for not believing what they saw having arrived with a sense of trepidation.

And what did they see? United are up to the giddy heights of ninth but, more importantly, they are only two points behind Liverpool and a point outside the top five. In an exclusive interview with Telegraph Sport, De Ligt had declared a Champions League place was the aim this season which may have provoked some sniggers. Suddenly that does not seem so funny.

It will also help Amorim that this came after he had received solid support from United’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe who had even compared his troubled start at United to Mikel Arteta’s early times at Arsenal.