Jose Mourinho hails "positive point" from Liverpool stalemate

Jose Mourinho has insisted that he had no choice but to sit back on a point as Manchester United held on for a goalless draw against Liverpool at Anfield.

The Reds were on top for long periods of the match and had 19 attempts across the 90 minutes, five of which tested David de Gea in the visiting goal.

De Gea denied Joel Matip from close range in an uneventful first half and Emre Can squandered the best chance of a second half largely dominated by Liverpool.

Mourinho is happy enough with the result, however, telling BBC Sport: "The opposition was good today, but we played our game. In the first half we had a couple of very good chances and good control of the game. In the second half [Nemanja] Matic tired and I had no solutions on the bench.

"I tried with my substitutions to make us more dynamic in attack, but in reality we lost power and energy and control in midfield. We had one shot on goal - well for you and the experts it is easy to speak but it is more difficult from the sidelines.

"Liverpool's midfield was really strong. They are faster than us when the game breaks. I had no chance to bring the game in another direction so it is a positive point."

United climb to the top of the Premier League table on 20 points ahead of Manchester City's meeting with Stoke City at the Etihad Stadium.