If a sense of anti-climax took hold at the final whistle at Old Trafford yesterday, after a stalemate between Manchester United and Liverpool, there was satisfaction in the home dressing room at a job well done under difficult circumstances. United had shown little of the free-spirited attacking football that has characterised their resurgence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but they had frustrated their rivals by demonstrating their new-found resilience.

Their defiance was typified by Luke Shaw, one of numerous United players who has appeared energised since Solskjaer took over from José Mourinho in December. The England full back ascribes his form this season to an intense fitness and conditioning programme he undertook last summer, but many observers believe he is now producing his best form