While the game was bereft of any real clear cut chances, bar Joel Matip burying one into his own net, there was plenty of drama as Man United held Liverpool to a goalless draw at Old Trafford.
Man United were forced to make all three substitutions within the first 43 minutes, with Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard all forced off before half time.
The most outrageous case of this injury crisis was the returning Jesse Lingard who replaced the injured Mata, before departing the field just 18 minutes later.
Liverpool weren't completely immune to this abundance of injuries, with Roberto Firmino making way for Daniel Sturridge shortly after the half-hour mark. It looked like Andy Robertson would follow his teammate to the injury table just prior to half-time, however, the Scotland captain returned for the second-half.
Obviously the reaction has been swift with many wondering if there was something in the water at Old Trafford today.
If another united player goes down injured, it's Liverpool black magic confirmed #MUNLIV
— Kyle Clayton (@KClayFootball) February 24, 2019
Game of injuries #MUNLIV
— Letting CK. (@LKips_) February 24, 2019
#MUNLIV
The first half
😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/4SSjc8Xlqk— Edrine&Kawuki🇺🇬 (@KawukiEdrine) February 24, 2019
This isn't the first time that a Premier League team has had to make three substitutions before half time. Burnley were forced to do the same in 2015 in a 3-3 draw away to Newcastle.
Manchester United are the first team to have used all 3 of their substitutions in the first half of a Premier League game since Burnley V Newcastle back in 2015! 🤕#FooootballHUB⚽ #MUNLIV #PL pic.twitter.com/iKfiWV2peQ
— Fooootball HUB (@FooootballHUB) February 24, 2019
Some Manchester United fans were questioning caretaker manager Ole Gunner Solskjaer choice in bringing on Jesse Lingard. With the England international only after returning today, after a sustaining a hamstring injury against PSG in the first leg of the last 16 of the Champions League.
Lingard was replaced by Alexis Sanchez, with many wondering why the Chilean didn't come on instead of Lingard in the first place.
Why risk Lingard when Sanchez is fit????? #MUNLIV
— Hashim (@HashX) February 24, 2019
When you forgot to do a warm-up with your players before the game 😳 #MUNLIV pic.twitter.com/ItRxDZ22aM
— Did It Cross The Line? (@diditcross) February 24, 2019
Solskjaer briefly considered putting himself on ahead of Sanchez.
— Eoin McDevitt (@EoinMcDevitt) February 24, 2019
An injured Lingard is better than a fit Sanchez. #MUNLIV
— Wes (@wookiee_wes) February 24, 2019
SEE ALSO: Report: Alex Ferguson Wants Solskjaer To Be Made Permanent Man Utd Boss Now
