- This is the most difficult article that I had to write in this series. I hate losing like most people but as a United fan, I hate it even more when it’s against Liverpool. If it’s at Old Trafford, it’s even worse but to concede five and end the match with ten men, hoping that the game ends as quickly as possible, it’s the end of the world from a footballing perspective. I will not try to make excuses because that is not possible on a day like this. Yet, United were already 4-0 down at half time when they had the first clear cut chance of the match with Bruno and inexplicably he decided to put it in the stands. Then the floodgates opened and there was no turning back. Liverpool were very efficient with their finishing and buried most of the chances they created, credit to them and particularly to Salah, who at the moment is on fire and seems to turn into gold everything he touches. From five goals which Liverpool scored, he had a hand in four of them, scoring three and assisting in the first one that Keita scored. The ever optimistic that I am, I expected a reaction in the second half, not to win the match like in mid-week but at least to show that we’re alive. It did not happen, partly also due to the sending off of Paul Pogba. The effects of this game will last for some time and it will be a challenge to lift these group of players for the next match. But the next match will come very soon and the players have to be ready because this is United and we’ll never die.
- When you lose 5-0 at home, the players and the manager have to take a good look at themselves in the mirror and look for answers. If that loss is against your worst enemy, then in a normal situation, heads will roll. I have supported Ole during his tenure and will continue to do so until he is the Manager at Manchester United. It is not up to me to make the decision if there should be a change in the manager. Whoever it is however, cannot make the decision based on one match. This is a horrendous day for United and for the United fans but I will always be of the opinion that a club should give a manager till the end of the season and that is where decisions are taken. If you look at the time Ole has been managing United, he steered us to third in the first six months and second last season, despite he did not have the best team around, if we want to be realistic. United had developed a certain system of play during those 18 months and it was evident for the fans that we were constantly moving forward. This season we have brought in three very important players and particularly with Ronaldo, the system had to change. And it will take time to gel the new formation together. It’s disappointing but that’s the reality. I think that today is the worst day for this bunch of players. They cannot go lower but now is going to be the time to see who has the right character to stand up, lick the wounds and work harder than ever to move forward. This is where the men are separated from the boys and it has nothing to do with age. It has to do with the pride to wear the United shirt and fight for the badge.
- It’s very difficult to pick a special mention today. I’ve seen some really bad performances from some of our best players. The only three players that I would save today are De Gea, Wan Bissaka and McTominay. Scott gets my vote for never giving up and trying the whole match, both at the back and from set pieces.
Looking forward to receiving your thoughts on the Facebook page. GGMU!
Article contributed by Contributor Roderick. Comments are appreciated on our Facebook page.