On Sunday, Liverpool introduced Manchester United crashing right down to earth with a 7-0 rout at Anfield within the guests’ worst aggressive loss in additional than 90 years. After the drubbing by the hands of their bitter rivals, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag compelled the gamers to sit down in silence and hearken to the celebrations of the Liverpool gamers.
Whereas Man United’s defeat to Liverpool was humiliating, irritating and excruciatingly tough for the followers to digest, it is very important notice that Erik ten Hag’s aspect had misplaced solely twice in all competitions for the reason that season resumed after the World Cup. In addition to that, they had been unbeaten in 11 video games previous to the defeat at Anfield.
So, the way during which Man United capitulated by the hands of Liverpool within the second half was worrisome, furthermore, given the truth that they had been using excessive on beating Barcelona within the Europa League knockout play-off matchup and lifting the Carabao Cup. Nonetheless, it was not the primary time United has been embarrassed in Ten Hag’s early reign at Previous Trafford.
The 4-0 battering by the hands of Brentford away in solely his second league sport in cost sparked debate about whether or not he was ok to handle such a large membership. Then there was the 6-3 defeat at Manchester Metropolis in October, which was additionally upsetting from the Purple Devils’ viewpoint no matter them scoring thrice within the sport.
Nonetheless, after each defeats, Ten Hag managed to get rousing responses from his boys. The defeat at Brentford was adopted by 4 straight league wins together with in opposition to Liverpool and Arsenal. After going 6-3 right down to Metropolis on the Etihad Stadium, the Reds went 9 video games unbeaten—received seven and drawn twice.
The Dutchman was conscious that his group needed to get higher and evolve as a unit. The 53-year-old was by no means going to permit these defeats to crush his gamers’ confidence and perception, however he ensured that they had been aware of the truth that all of them represented United and the tasks that include sporting the well-known Purple.
Ten Hag is a realist and is aware of his United group should not the completed article. He has remodeled the membership in a really brief time frame however is aware of there’s a lengthy technique to go earlier than changing into the ‘crème de la crème’ of England once more. The Dutch supervisor didn’t get carried away when his group beat Barcelona and won’t after the loss to Liverpool.
Identical to the gamers, Ten Hag should take the blame for the errors he made on Sunday. Blatant tactical errors had been made and he’ll wish to study from them. A title problem was untimely and the Liverpool trouncing additional proved it, however Ten Hag and co. nonetheless stay in rivalry for 2 extra trophies.
The Purple Devils are getting into the enterprise finish of the season, and in contrast to final season, there may be nonetheless lots to play for. Beginning with the Europa League last-16 dwelling tie in opposition to Actual Betis on Thursday night, the Previous Trafford devoted shall be determined for a fiery response from the boys.
Going by how United responded after being given a bloody nostril by Brentford and Man Metropolis earlier within the season, the followers should utterly belief Ten Hag to do his job.
I’m Rohan Sengupta from one of many busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a eager curiosity in sports activities, soccer is one thing I merely can not dwell with out and writing, discussing and analyzing the sport is what I do 24*7.