Manchester United’s senior performers got here in for large criticism from former gamers within the wake of their 7-0 drubbing by the hands of Liverpool.
The Red Devils have loved a resurgence this season underneath Erik ten Hag and received the Carabao Cup just lately, however suffered their joint-biggest ever league defeat by the hands of their greatest rivals at Anfield on Sunday.
Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez every scored twice, with Roberto Firmino including one other off the bench – with six of these targets coming within the second half as United imploded and the Reds took full benefit.
Speaking on Sky Sports through the match, Gary Neville picked out Bruno Fernandes specifically for a petulant and ineffective exhibiting, with the Portuguese participant greater than as soon as being proven strolling with out making effort to win again possession as Liverpool gamers ran away from him, earlier than additionally showing to gesticulate to the United bench that he needed to be substituted.
“Bruno Fernandes is asking why it’s not him [coming off],” mentioned Neville. “Honestly, some of his behaviour has been a disgrace, [even if] he’s been brilliant at times, his assists and goals.
“The second half has been a disgrace, a shambles, epitomised by Fernandes who has been embarrassing at times. It’s not their usual performance, spirit or form. [Erik ten Hag] will deal with it,” he mentioned at a later level.
Fernandes was additionally criticised for obvious play-acting as he tried to win a free-kick for an harm to his face, with replays exhibiting minimal contact in a unique space, whereas Neville additionally highlighted an absence of management from the Man United skipper.
“I start with the captain. You don’t throw your hands up, you run back. I’ve had enough of him throwing his arms up as team-mates and not running back. He got pushed in the chest and goes down holding his face. I think Ten Hag will deal with him very strongly in the next 48 hours. It was a disgrace.”
After full time, Roy Keane within the studio included the opposite senior gamers in United’s line-up in his criticism, with the crew together with seasoned internationals corresponding to Casemiro, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw and the in-form Marcus Rashford.
“The senior players didn’t show any leadership skills, they were embarrassing,” he mentioned. “It was a tough tough day for Man United. The players will be ashamed of their second-half performance, they went missing to give up that many goals.”
Fernandes himself took to the cameras after the match to clarify the efficiency.
“It’s really frustrating and sad because it’s a really bad result. The first half was really good, we had chances and controlled most but the second half was not at our level,” he mentioned. “We gave too much time and space and counters to them and it was not our level. We know how much quality we have so it’s about the next game and get a result back.
“The team tried to react but in a reactive way. You try to go forward and score but you lose balance and control of our positions on the pitch. Against these teams who are strong on the counter we have to avoid that.
“It can be [damaging] but we had setbacks in the past and we have to come back again. That’s what Manchester United is about.
“Today we didn’t show and perform at our level but we know this team can do good things. This team will still do great things together with our fans and we appreciate them even at the end of a game like this. It’s still really good to be a Red Devil.
“We have set a really good level and now it’s about getting back to that.”