Zlatan Ibrahimovic spares Paul Pogba’s blushes as Manchester United draw with Liverpool

Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck late to rescue a 1-1 draw for Manchester United as Liverpool dropped two points in their bid to catch leaders Chelsea.

The Swedish forward nodded in his 14th league goal of the season to stretch the Red Devils' unbeaten run to 16 matches and spare the blushes of team-mate Paul Pogba at Old Trafford.

James Milner's penalty had put the visitors on course for a first win of 2017 after the Frenchman's inexplicable handball, but despite some fine goalkeeping from Simon Mignolet, they were eventually undone as United's second-half pressure told.

The result sees the Merseysiders move up to third, but they remain behind Tottenham on goal difference and a further seven points behind Chelsea.

United remain sixth, four points off the top four and 12 adrift of top spot as their own title aspirations were dented.

Paul Pogba trending for all the wrong reasons. The hashtag for Pogba sporting his own Twitter emoji may have seemed like a good idea on Friday, but this certainly wasn't what the £89m midfielder would have hoped for. He endured a day to forget and may give social media a swerve over the next few days.

He missed a great chance to put United in front when put clear by Mkhitaryan and endured a miserable first 45 minutes of football. He continually lost Lovren when marking at set pieces, leading to the panic that saw him handle for Liverpool's opener. He was caught in possession for what nearly led to a second for Liverpool before his good pal, Ibrahimovic saved the day. He'll be avoiding any sort of dabbing for the foreseeable future.

Simon Mignolet (Liverpool). Liverpool's goalkeepers have come under fire, but this was a fine showing from the Reds stopper. He made a trio of fine saves that looked to be helping his side to victory. Could do little to stop the equaliser and deserves some praise for a solid overall display.

MAN UNITED: De Gea 7, Valencia 7, Jones 6, Rojo 6, Darmian 6, Carrick 5, Herrera 7, Pogba 5, Mkhitaryan 7, Martial 7, Ibrahimovic 8. Subs: Rooney 6, Mata 6, Fellaini 6.

LIVERPOOL: Mignolet 8, Trent Alexander-Arnold 6, Lovren 8, Klavan 7, Milner 7, Henderson 7, Can 6, Wijnaldum 6, Lallana 6, Firmino 6, Origi 7. Sub: Coutinho 7.

20' - MAN UNITED CHANCE! United starting to assert some authority. Pogba makes a run through the middle but fires wide of the far post after being beautifully played through by Mkhitaryan.

27' - GOAL! MAN UNITED 0-1 LIVERPOOL. James Milner buries the penalty beyond De Gea's reach to put Liverpool ahead after Pogba had handled a corner trying to deny Lovren a header at goal.

33' - MAN UNITED CHANCE! Zlatan rifles in a low free kick from 20 yards but sees his effort superbly pushed to safety by Mignolet.

41' - MAN UNITED CHANCE! Mkhitaryan surges clear on the left of the area but sees his driven strike beaten away by Mignolet. The Liverpool stopper has had a fine half with two excellent saves.

55' - MAN UNITED CHANCE! Alexander-Arnold is caught out and the hosts counter. Zaltan feeds Mkhitaryan who races into the right of the area and flashes a low cross into the six-yard box that just evades Pogba.

76' - LIVERPOOL CHANCE! A flowing counter attack from Liverpool. Pogba is caught in possession once more and Wijnaldum arrives late to head over from Can's right-wing cross. He had time to take that down and line up a shot too.

84' - GOAL! MAN UNITED 1-1 LIVERPOOL. United are level. Zlatan heads home Valencia's dinked cross after Fellaini's initial header had hit the post.

90+2' - LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Liverpool work a great chance, shifting to the overlapping man in the shape of Wijnaldum who can only strike a tame effort straight at De Gea.

James Milner has never been on the losing side in a PL game where he has scored (46 games); a joint-record with Darius Vassell.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored 14 goals in his first 20 PL games - the same total as Alan Shearer and Sergio Aguero.

This is the first time Man Utd and Liverpool have drawn both league meetings in a season since 1987/88.

James Milner has scored each of his last 10 penalties in the Premier League.

This was the 50th Premier League meeting between Manchester United and Liverpool.

Wayne Rooney is the 17th outfield player to make 450 Premier League appearances.