OLD TRAFFORD Notebook

TYSON FURY can only hope his timing is better when he faces Oleksandr Usyk to unify the world heavyweight title division in Saudi Arabia in May. Fury left his seat in the Old Trafford directors’ box in the 80th minute with United trailing 2-1 to Liverpool, and missed Marcus Rashford’s equaliser and the drama of extra-time as United staged a classic FA Cup fightback.

It’s hard to miss Fury at the best of times, but the 6ft 9in world heavyweight champion stood out even more than usual in a bright green tracksuit and fedora hat.

He posed for pictures with Sir Alex Ferguson before the game and urged his team to ‘get stuck right in’, but won’t have enjoyed the quick one-two from Liverpool that floored United just before half-time.

AMAD DIALLO’S winner was only his second goal for Manchester United — and came more than three years since the first against AC Milan in a Europa League tie in March 2021. It was also Diallo’s first goal since he scored on loan for Sunderland in the Championship play-off semi-final first leg against Luton last season.

MICHAEL EDWARDS won’t officially return to Liverpool as the new CEO of football for Fenway Sports Group until June 1, but the 44-year-old certainly looked involved as he was seen deep in conversation with Sir Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush in the stands at Old Trafford.

UNITED had seven shots on target against Liverpool before the break. That’s their most in the first half against any team in any competition since 2006, apart from Burton Albion in 2017 and Norwich in 2019.