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Manchester United have struggled in recent weeks putting together a string of below par performances and their Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday was no different.
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer‘s side hosted Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at Old Trafford and lost 5-0 in front of a packed home crowd, though many fans left the stadium well before the final whistle in despair after one of the club’s darkest days.
Many were dismayed at the lack of game plan by United as they faced one of the most in form Premier League side’s, and although hopes were not high, few expected a drubbing such as the one which was handed out.
Premier League dreams over
With many optimistic at the start of the season that the signings of Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo would spell danger in the Premier League this season, it was a shock to see so many leaving Old Trafford at around the 60th minute of their 5-0 loss to Liverpool.
The dreams of competing for the Premier League title this season seem to be over, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City playing at a different level to Solksjaer’s side.
United’s last four Premier League fixtures have included three losses and a draw, leaving them in seventh place in the table on 14 points, while Chelsea are well ahead at the top on 22 points.
Having not lifted a major trophy since 2017 when they won the Europa League, Manchester United clearly need a change, and fast.
Defensive problems
United’s 5-0 loss to Liverpool was the biggest result in that fixture since the Merseyside team won 7-1 at Anfield back in 1895, leading to a lot of criticism towards the Manchester side.
“They leave spaces everywhere, they don’t press well and they are always walking, especially those up top,” said Gary Neville on Sky Sports after the game.
“This side is very lazy when it comes to reacting. They are babies when they concede a goal.”
The side’s defence has been a major problem this season, with goalkeeper David de Gea having kept only one clean sheet.
Ronaldo fed up at tactical chaos
Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo is doing his part, with six goals in nine games since returning to England, however the tactical choices from Solksjaer have not been good enough to have the team controlling games.
“You can’t play with five attacking players. Pogba has to come out of the midfield position,” said Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports.
Solksjaer in distress
United manager Solksjaer is currently under contract with the Red Devils until 2024, but since his arrival back in 2018, is still yet to win a single trophy with the side.
As the fans grow tired of his underachievement at the club, Solksjaer‘s position becomes more and more unstable.
“It’s not easy to say something apart from it’s the darkest day I’ve had leading these players and we weren’t good enough, individually and as a team,” Solksjaer said of the performance.
“You can’t give a team like Liverpool those chances, unfortunately we did. The whole performance wasn’t good enough, that’s for sure.”
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