lack of work rate and intensity, manager Erik ten Hag calls performance ‘unprofessional

Manchester United suffered a humiliating 7-0 loss to Liverpool, in a match marked by a lack of work rate, pressing, and closing down. The players covered a combined distance of just 99.01km, which is the lowest the team has run since their 4-0 defeat at the hands of Brentford earlier in the season. Following that defeat, manager Erik ten Hag punished the players by making them run the difference in distance covered between themselves and Brentford’s stars. He even participated in the exercise himself, resulting in an improvement in the team’s work rate and intensity.

However, United’s disastrous showing against Liverpool suggests that the team still has a long way to go. After the game, Ten Hag expressed his disappointment and described the performance as “unprofessional”. He highlighted the lack of drive and motivation among the players, which led to 11 individuals losing their heads and not sticking to the plan. The United boss stressed that such a defeat is unacceptable and not indicative of the standards expected at the club.

United’s defeat to Liverpool highlights the need for a serious review of the team’s work rate, pressing, and motivation, as well as an overhaul of their tactics and approach to the game. The loss marks one of United’s most embarrassing downfalls in the modern era and puts more pressure on the club to make significant changes if they are to remain competitive at the highest level.