Old Trafford, Manchester – Sunday marked a miserable day for Manchester United as they endured a humbling 3-0 defeat to arch-rivals Liverpool.
Manager Erik ten Hag faced widespread criticism from fans, pundits, and former players, all questioning the direction of the club under his leadership.
The loss at Old Trafford has amplified doubts about Ten Hag’s future, despite the club’s recent commitment to extending his contract.
The final whistle was met with loud boos from the remaining Manchester United supporters, with many having already left the stadium in disappointment after an hour of play.
Liverpool’s dominant performance, led by manager Arne Slot, highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides, casting doubt on United’s progress and future under Ten Hag.
A Day to Forget
The match started with high hopes for Manchester United, but it quickly turned into a nightmare. Luis Díaz opened the scoring for Liverpool after intercepting a loose pass from Casemiro, a player once regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.
The Brazilian’s struggles didn’t end there. Shortly after the first goal, Díaz capitalized on another mistake from Casemiro, this time dispossessing him before finding the back of the net again. Liverpool were 2-0 up before Manchester United could react.
By the 60th minute, Liverpool extended their lead to 3-0, with Cody Gakpo scoring the third goal after United’s defense crumbled under pressure.
The reaction from the home crowd was telling. Boos echoed around Old Trafford, and fans began to leave in droves, frustrated by the team’s performance and the apparent lack of progress.
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, who was providing commentary for Sky Sports, summed up the atmosphere: “Liverpool could have been 5-0 up since they went 3-0 up. They are getting absolutely mauled. It’s a sobering day for Erik ten Hag, his players, and for the new ownership sat in the stand en masse.”
Neville’s comments reflected the mood of many United fans, who are growing increasingly impatient with the lack of improvement.
United finished 22 points behind Liverpool last season, and based on Sunday’s performance, there are fears that the gap could be just as wide, if not wider, this season.
Keane’s Critique
Another former Manchester United captain, Roy Keane, was equally scathing in his assessment. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Keane didn’t hold back: “They were absolutely shocking. Every time Liverpool went forward, they looked like they were going to score. For a game like this to be over after an hour, it’s hard to accept.”
Keane’s frustrations are shared by many United supporters, who expected more from their team in such a high-stakes match. United’s inability to compete with Liverpool in recent seasons has been a sore point, and the latest defeat has only heightened the pressure on Ten Hag.
The statistics from the game offered little consolation to United fans. While both teams registered three shots on target, it was Liverpool who looked more clinical and dangerous.
United may have edged possession, but as Keane pointed out, “The statistics don’t tell the story. Liverpool were very good and very efficient. They looked stronger and they looked fitter. You can try to dress it up a little bit, but United were shocking.”
Casemiro’s Struggles Highlight United’s Problems
Perhaps nothing captured Manchester United’s day to forget more than the performance of Casemiro.
The Brazilian midfielder, who has won multiple Champions League titles with Real Madrid, was a shadow of his former self. His two errors directly led to Liverpool’s first two goals, and he was subsequently taken off at half-time.
Pundits were quick to comment on Casemiro’s struggles. Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, lamented the decline of the once-great midfielder: “He’s had such a great career and won everything you can possibly win, and it is a sad sight seeing what he’s going through out there.”
Neville echoed those sentiments, noting that Casemiro had lost his confidence: “For Casemiro, someone who has won Champions Leagues with Real Madrid, it can happen to you in games.”
Casemiro’s struggles were emblematic of a broader problem at Manchester United. The team looked disjointed, lacking cohesion, and unable to handle the pace and intensity of Liverpool’s play. It was a performance that raised serious questions about the tactical approach and mentality of the players.
Ten Hag’s Future in Doubt
With the international break looming, Manchester United’s hierarchy is facing a critical decision regarding Erik ten Hag’s future.
The Dutchman, now in his third season at Old Trafford, guided United to a third-place finish in the 2022-23 season and secured an FA Cup victory over Manchester City in May.
However, last season’s eighth-place finish and the current poor start to the Premier League campaign have put Ten Hag under immense pressure.
Despite the club triggering a one-year extension to Ten Hag’s contract, which ties him to the club until 2026, there is growing uncertainty about whether he will see out the season. Jamie Carragher expressed his doubts: “I would be surprised if he is still there at the end of the season.”
Neville, however, called for calm and urged the club to stick with Ten Hag, at least for the time being. “Not just Erik ten Hag, but every manager has struggled. It is a time for a bit of calm. The international break [is here] which is well needed for Manchester United.”
Neville added that Ten Hag needs to get United back into contention for a top-four finish if he wants to avoid further scrutiny. “Erik ten Hag needs to get the club into a position challenging for Champions League near Christmas or he will be in trouble.”
The club’s new ownership, which was present at Old Trafford for the match, will also be considering their options. The defeat to Liverpool was a stark reminder of the challenges facing Manchester United as they seek to rebuild and compete with the best in the Premier League.
Fans Losing Patience
The reaction from Manchester United fans has been overwhelmingly negative. Social media was flooded with criticism of the team’s performance, with many calling for changes at the managerial level.
The booing at half-time and full-time reflected the growing frustration among supporters who feel that the club is not progressing under Ten Hag.
Manchester United fan groups have also voiced their concerns, with some questioning the club’s long-term vision and the decision-making at the top.
There is a sense that United’s traditional standards of success are slipping, and many fans are worried that the club is no longer capable of competing for major honours.
One prominent fan group, The Red Army, released a statement after the Liverpool defeat, calling for accountability: “The performance today was unacceptable. The fans deserve better, and we need to see tangible progress on the pitch. We love this club, but we cannot continue to accept mediocrity.”
What Needs to Change?
The loss to Liverpool has exposed several issues that Manchester United must address if they are to turn their season around. The first is the team’s lack of defensive solidity. United have now lost three of their last five Premier League home games against Liverpool, and they continue to struggle against the league’s top sides.
Another concern is the team’s fitness levels. Liverpool looked sharper and fitter throughout the match, a point highlighted by several pundits.
Roy Keane noted that United appeared “miles off it” compared to their rivals, and this is an area that Ten Hag will need to address during the international break.
Tactically, there are also questions about Ten Hag’s approach. United’s passing was sloppy, their shape was disorganized, and they struggled to cope with Liverpool’s pressing game. Ten Hag has stressed that the team is in a transitional period, but fans are running out of patience and want to see results now.
The manager will need to find a way to integrate the club’s exciting young players while also getting the best out of experienced stars like Casemiro, who has struggled to replicate his Real Madrid form at Old Trafford. If Ten Hag can’t find a balance, his tenure could be cut short.
Looking Ahead
Manchester United’s next few matches will be crucial in determining Ten Hag’s future. After the international break, they face a series of tough fixtures, including games against top-four contenders. The pressure on Ten Hag will only increase if United fail to pick up points in these matches.
For now, the club is standing by their manager, but the mood among fans and pundits suggests that time is running out.
Ten Hag will need to use the international break to regroup, refocus, and get his team back on track. If he can do that, he may yet salvage his position. If not, Manchester United could find themselves looking for a new manager before the season is over.
As the dust settles on a painful defeat, one thing is clear: Manchester United are at a crossroads. The decisions made in the coming weeks will shape the club’s future, and for Erik ten Hag, the stakes have never been higher.
