Seven days previously, Manchester United had beaten the latest club to become incredibly wealthy thanks to Middle East money and won the Carabao Cup. It was United’s first trophy since 2017 and the majority of the media pronounced it as the return of the club to the top table – and Erik ten Hag was the man to bring the glory days back to the club.
But then the unthinkable happened. United travelled to Anfield with the fans expecting to beat their bitterest of rivals and went home with their tails between their legs. If you were learning how to bet on soccer you will have never thought that Liverpool would end up winning 7-0. What happened? And what comes next for this battered United?
Liverpool – Very Good
The first thing that should be said is that Liverpool played very well. It hasn’t been a stellar season for Jurgen Klopp’s men, but everything went right on one of the most important dates in the club’s calendar. Liverpool only led by one goal at half time but demolished United in the second period.
The hosts only had eight shots on goal all afternoon – and scored from seven of them. Darwin Nunez showed his doubters why the club bought him in the first place and Cody Gakpo showed his potential to be a real threat in the Premier League. But, above all, Mo Salah was back to his very best, for the first time this season.
Manchester United – Very Bad
For all the examples of Liverpool playing well, they couldn’t have recorded such an incredible result without a complete capitulation on the part of United. Ten Hag’s side actually enjoyed most of the chances in the first 40 minutes or so before Liverpool took the lead. But then they seemed to give up.
Very quickly into the second half, United were already three goals down – and the game was over as a competition. But United should have shown resolve and limited Liverpool to a, still, convincing win. But there was no fight, no self-respect, as the United players rolled over. The antics of Bruno Fernandes as captain were just a very visible example of how poor they were.
Ongoing Problems
It seems strange to say that anything positive could be taken from the game for United. It might be even weirder to proclaim a positive to be the result seen as part of bigger problems. But what Erik ten Hag should admit – and probably does – is that the recent success had only papered over the cracks of what is wrong at Old Trafford.
The result itself – as embarrassing as it is – should not really be dwelled on. What should be addressed is the seasons-long demise of a club that was the envy of the world. The owners have allowed a toxic culture to take hold and it will take time to right those wrongs and turn Manchester United into a football beacon once again.
Realistic Ambitions
To give Ten Hag credit, he has always urged caution, as the fans and the media had got carried away with the resurgence this season. The former Ajax manager will know that it takes time to implement a new culture and the League Cup triumph was just something fleeting to enjoy while the hard work continues.
There was even talk of the possibility of a quadruple for United this season. That was a ridiculous idea and the battering from Liverpool will have put that to bed once and for all. There is still a chance of finishing in the top four though – and that should be where Ten Hag’s priorities lie.
Next Up for United
The last time United had lost a game before the Liverpool debacle was against Arsenal in January. Now they have a relatively kind fixture list in the Premier League interspersed with at least one round of Europa League football. A 7-0 thrashing cannot be forgotten. But the club can move on.
Jose Mourinho managed to win the Europa League during his dismal time in charge at Old Trafford and if Ten Hag can emulate that he will go some way to prove that he can start something new at the club. There is a lot of work to be done though. One defeat will not stop his plans – but he could use the experience as fuel to change the culture in the red part of Manchester.
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