Man United beats Liverpool 3-2 and will be back in the Champions League after 2-year absence

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United guaranteed a return to the Champions League next season with a 3-2 win against Liverpool on Sunday. Kobbie Mainoo settled a thrilling Premier League clash at Old Trafford with his first-time strike from the edge of the area. Defending champion Liverpool had fought back from two goals down to level the game. But Mainoo’s goal meant United would again be playing in European club soccer’s top competition after a two-year absence. To the delight of its fans, United also completed a league double of home-and-away wins against Liverpool for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign. Victory saw Michael Carrick achieve the target he was set when in January he was handed the role of head coach until the end of the season. Rescuing United’s season from freefall, he has led the club to third in the standings and produced statement wins against Arsenal, Manchester City and now Liverpool. Victory will strengthen calls for Carrick to be handed the job on a permanent basis. PHOTOS: Man United beats Liverpool 3-2 and will be back in the Champions League after 2-year absence Matheus Cunha put United ahead after six minutes with a left-footed strike from inside