As Manchester United left the Old Trafford pitch with a hard earned half-time lead against Liverpool a stat appeared showing just what Jurgen Klopp's side were up against.

This was the 284th game in the Premier League era were United have been leading at half-time. They've lost none of them. In fact you have to go back 35 years to find the last time United blew an interval lead at home, losing to Ipswich in May 1984.

But twice at Old Trafford this season they've seen winning positions at half-time turn to draws, losing the advantage against Arsenal and now Liverpool. It's been a similar story away from home, where United lead at Wolves and Southampton at the break but lost the lead in the second half.

That's eight points squandered from winning positions already this season. United also saw a second half lead against Rochdale disappear in the Carabao Cup.

What makes this disconcerting trait all the more uncomfortable for United is that this a team built to play on the counter attack. The goals that put them ahead against Arsenal and Liverpool were both scored on the break, Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford applying the finishing touches.

Going ahead in games should be the perfect scenario for this United side, yet at the moment they are failing to click when counter attacking opportunities present themselves. On Sunday Rashford dragged a shot wide after more good work from Daniel James, but aside from that there was little threat from Solskjaer's side.

United haven't scored a goal while leading in a game since the opening weekend of the season and the 4-0 victory over Chelsea. That's the only time they've scored another goal while ahead since beating Watford 2-1 on March 30. The counter attacking machine needs some work.

Solskjaer was asked about his side's counter attacking after the draw with Liverpool. "It depends what you call a counter attack. We're better when we attack quickly, no dilly-dallying on the ball. Playing the ball forward doesn't have to be a counter attack, but you'll be more direct," he explained.

"I spoke about it before the game, take more risks, be braver, it doesn't matter if you lose the ball up there, because you can it back."

It may be a fear of taking those risks that has halted United's ability to strike on the break, something they were doing regularly in the first three months under Solskjaer. He is determined for his players to becoming braver and that may lead to a rediscovery of the ability to break quickly on teams.

Restoring Anthony Martial to full fitness will also help, giving Solskjaer another rapid option in his front three alongside James and Rashford.

For now giving away leads is a habit United need to kick. If they'd held on to two of the four leads they've held this season and claimed an extra four points then they'd be looking a lot healthier on 14 points and in sixth place in the table.

United have had games set up to suit this season but they've failed to take advantage of it so far. If they can rediscover and refine their counter attacking game and continue to find themselves ahead in matches then they could yet turn this season around.