Manchester United suffered another defeat in the Premier League on Sunday, losing 3-0 at home to bitter rivals Liverpool.
It was a match that highlighted many of the same tactical and player shortcomings on display in the abysmal 2023-24 season as well as the strengths of the opposition, and what is abundantly clear is that United are currently nowhere near the level that they aim to be at.
Erik ten Hag made two changes to the side that lost to Bright & Hove Albion last season, bringing Matthijs De Ligt and Alejandro Garnacho into the side. Casemiro kept his spot in midfield for at least one more week, though his performance and the recent addition of Manuel Ugarte would suggest that may not be the case for long.
Casemiro was arguably Liverpool’s best midfielder in the first half, setting up a goal and finding white shirts on several passes in midfield. He also managed to open up plenty of space to run through in midfield and left room to attack in the box as United’s defenders scrambled under pressure.
Liverpool scored in the seventh minute, but it was disallowed as VAR intervened for an offside. Unfortunately United failed to make anything of the lifeline, and half an hour later the visitors took the lead for real. A bad giveaway led to Salah lofting a ball up for Luis Diaz. The Colombian struck again few minutes later with a nice first time finish, again off a Salah assist, again off a bad giveaway.
Casemiro was of course not the only poor performer, Bruno Fernandes had several misplaced passes as well and Lisandro Martinez was overwhelmed in and out of possession. The Brazilian was the one who had to make way at the halftime break though, with Toby Collyer making his Premier League debut in a nightmare scenario.
Surprise surprise, the youngster could only do so much gainst Arne Slot’s side.
Liverpool found a third shortly after the break, with Salah scoring his seventh Premier League goal at Old Trafford to wrap things up for United’s rivals.
It was a miserable time for the Reds. Very few positives to take away apart from a couple of Zirkzee moments in the first half and two great chances created by Rashford in the second. Those chances fell to Zirkzee however, who failed to convert in must score situations.
Overall, an experience United fans will want to forget. Many at Old Trafford left the ground well before the final whistle, and many sang the ugly Hillsborough song as well after Liverpool’s first goal.
All around miserable performance on and off the pitch.
Changes to come on (or off) the pitch? That remains to be seen.
