Manchester United’s disappointing start to the season continued as they suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to arch-rivals Liverpool. The Red Devils were never in the contest, with Liverpool dominating from the off and racing to a two-goal lead ahead of half-time. Luis Diaz twice found the back of the net for the visitors before Mohamed Salah sealed the win with a third goal in the second half.
The Red Devils were outclassed in every department, with their defensive frailties and midfield struggles laid bare.
A Disastrous Display: United’s Defensive Woes Exposed
United’s defense was torn apart by Liverpool’s attacking prowess. Andre Onana had a nightmare between the sticks, failing to make a single save despite facing few shots on goal. The backline, led by Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez, was equally culpable, making numerous errors and struggling to contain the Liverpool attackers.
Casemiro’s Calamity: Brazilian Midfielder Faces Criticism
Casemiro was arguably the biggest culprit in United’s defeat. The Brazilian midfielder had a disastrous performance, making several costly mistakes that led directly to Liverpool’s goals. His poor form has raised questions about his suitability for the Premier League and whether he can continue to be a reliable starter for United.
Other Struggling Stars: Rashford, Mainoo, and Garnacho Fail to Impress
Several other United players also struggled to make an impact. Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho were both ineffective in attack, while Kobbie Mainoo struggled to control the midfield.
A Ray of Hope: Amad Diallo Shines Despite Limited Minutes
Despite United’s overall disappointing performance, there was a glimmer of hope in the form of Amad Diallo. The young winger came on as a substitute and immediately made an impact, showing glimpses of his undoubted talent. While his playing time was limited, Diallo’s performance offered a glimpse of what the future could hold for United.
In conclusion, Manchester United’s defeat to Liverpool was a major setback. The team’s defensive frailties and midfield struggles were exposed, and there are serious concerns about their ability to compete at the highest level. If United are to improve their fortunes, they will need to address these issues quickly and decisively.
Player Ratings: A Mixed Bag for United
The player ratings from the match make for grim reading for United fans, with several players struggling to make an impact. Here is a breakdown of how each player performed:
- Andre Onana (4/10): The goalkeeper had a quiet afternoon, with Liverpool’s goals being too clinical for him to make a difference.
- Noussair Mazraoui (3/10): The right-back was destroyed by Diaz in the first half and struggled to make an impact.
- Matthijs de Ligt (3/10): The center-back made a strong start but his confidence went downhill after the first goal.
- Lisandro Martinez (4/10): The Argentine defender showed some spirit, but it was not always helpful, and he was booked in the first half.
- Diogo Dalot (4/10): The Portuguese right-back struggled again on the left and it seems unfair he is being played there to accommodate Mazraoui.
Midfield Woes: Casemiro’s Nightmare Performance
The midfield was a major concern for United, with Casemiro having one of his worst games in a United shirt.
- Kobbie Mainoo (4/10): The young midfielder had a rare poor game, doing very little of use with the ball and being easily dispossessed for the third goal.
- Casemiro (2/10): The Brazilian had a nightmare performance, responsible for the first two Liverpool goals and his passing was sloppy throughout. He was mercifully hooked by Ten Hag at half-time.
- Bruno Fernandes (4/10): The Portuguese midfielder looked helpless out there trying to plug the gaps in midfield and create something.
Attack: A Lack of Creativity and Clinical Finishing
The attack was also a major concern for United, with several players struggling to make an impact.
- Alejandro Garnacho (4/10): The young winger was frequently nullified by the excellent Robertson.
- Joshua Zirkzee (5/10): The striker kept the faith and had his side’s best effort of the game when he was thwarted by a fine save from Alisson.
- Marcus Rashford (3/10): The English striker’s runs were ineffective, and his passes were either under or over-hit.
Subs and Manager: A Tough Day for Ten Hag
The substitutes and manager also had a tough day, with few positives to take from the match.
- Toby Collyer (5/10): The young midfielder had a tough environment to make his Premier League debut but at least looked more comfortable than Casemiro.
- Harry Maguire (5/10): The English defender made the team ever so slightly more solid and no more goals were leaked when he came on.
- Amad Diallo (6/10): The young winger showed some promise but had no support.
- Christian Eriksen (N/A): The Danish midfielder was introduced in the 86th minute and had little impact.
- Erik ten Hag (4/10): The manager had no real issue with his selections or substitutes, but the result and performance say it all.
What are your thoughts on this Match Result, can United get back on track? (Below is the comment Section, we would like to know your view).
