Manchester United at heart of criticism after historic humiliation at Anfield

Liverpool had not chained two victories in a row since the end of 2022. An eternity for a club of this stature. In their lair of Anfield, the Reds confirmed their return to form after a first success against Wolverhampton (0-2) by slapping Manchester United on a score that looked more like tennis than anything else (7-0). Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils are brutally back down to earth after a series of eleven games without defeat in all competitions.

After its brilliant qualification at the expense of FC Barcelona for the rest of the competition in the Europa League, Manchester United surely did not expect to take a beating against the players of Jürgen Klopp during the Derby of England. And yet, Raphaël Varane’s teammates suffered the heaviest defeat in the history of the Mancunian club tied with three other routs in 1926, 1930 and 1931. A first for more than 90 years! And inevitably, it made react on the other side of the Channel.

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Humiliation and professional misconduct

As captain of the Mancunian ship, the coach of the Red Devils, Erik ten Hag, wanted to react just after the final whistle. “In the second half, it wasn’t us. It was not our level. We didn’t play as a team. Yes, (I’m angry, editor’s note). The second half was unprofessional. It can’t happen and we need to talk about it. It affected the whole team, I saw 11 players lose their minds. It’s not Manchester United, we have higher standards.”confided, somewhat annoyed, the Dutch technician after the meeting.

Gary Neville for his part did not go there by four paths. The legend of the Red Devils, who has spent his entire career in Manchester, castigated the behavior of the players after returning from the locker room by pointing the finger at the performance and behavior of Bruno Fernandes on the meadow. “The second half was an absolute disgrace, a disaster. Bruno Fernandes was embarrassing, shameful, in this game. I’m sure Ten Hag will take care of it, as he has taken care of other problems encountered.said the English consultant following this historic defeat for Manchester United.

Apologize to supporters

Same story for Roy Keane, the other Mancunian legend who became a consultant for English television. “The executives were embarrassing, they didn’t show their leadership. The goals they conceded were shocking. The players disappeared when things got tough. Fernandes’ body language today was simply disgraceful. If I was beaten 6-0 or 7-0, I would hide. I would disappear for a few months. It’s really embarrassing. Thank goodness I have never been part of a United team that has been beaten like this.”got carried away the former Irish midfielder.

A few minutes after the final whistle, Manchester United players seemed completely stunned by this incredible result. Luke Shaw also wanted to apologize to Mancunian supporters for this record defeat. “It is difficult to explain. We weren’t up to par. I’m embarrassed for the fans and the people watching us. I can only apologize. It will not be easy to see all this again, but he (ten Hag, editor’s note) will make us look and show us what we must learn from this humiliation., dropped the defender of the Red Devils. A historic humiliation therefore, but a starting point for Erik ten Hag’s men who will have to quickly raise their heads to respond with style against Real Betis on Thursday for the account of the knockout stages of the Europa League.