Manchester United endured a difficult afternoon at Old Trafford, suffering a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool in their latest Premier League encounter. The match highlighted numerous challenges for Erik ten Hag’s side, from defensive frailties to a lack of creativity in attack.
Liverpool initially appeared to have taken an early lead when Trent Alexander-Arnold found the back of the net. However, the goal was swiftly ruled out due to an offside during the build-up. Undeterred, Liverpool continued to press, and their efforts were rewarded in the 35th minute when Luis Diaz headed in at the back post, giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage. Diaz struck again just seven minutes later, doubling Liverpool’s lead with a precise finish that left Manchester United reeling.
United made a tactical change at half-time, substituting Casemiro, who had delivered an error-strewn first half. Despite the adjustment, Liverpool’s dominance continued. Mohamed Salah extended the lead to 3-0 with a well-taken goal ten minutes into the second half, effectively sealing the game for the visitors.
The player ratings reflect United’s struggles throughout the match. Goalkeeper Andre Onana had little to do in terms of saves but was left helpless for all three goals due to Liverpool’s clinical finishing. He earned a rating of 5. Right-back Noussair Mazraoui had a tough game, particularly against the lively Diaz, and was at fault defensively for Diaz’s first goal, resulting in a rating of 4.
Matthijs de Ligt initially showed promise as one of United’s better performers until Liverpool’s opening goal, after which his performance noticeably declined. He was also booked for a rough tackle, earning him a rating of 4. Lisandro Martinez struggled throughout, particularly with his distribution, and was booked in the first half. His only notable contribution was escorting Diaz off the field when he was substituted, leading to a rating of 3.
Diogo Dalot, playing out of position at left-back, had difficulty containing Liverpool’s attacks and was unable to prevent Diaz’s goals. He may need to return to his preferred right-back role, reflected in a rating of 4. Casemiro’s performance was among the worst for United, as he made several costly errors that contributed to Liverpool’s goals. He was also ineffective in possession, resulting in his substitution at half-time and a rating of 1, the lowest among his teammates.
Kobbie Mainoo, who struggled without the support of the experienced Casemiro, had a quiet game and lost possession in the lead-up to Salah’s goal, earning a rating of 3. Alejandro Garnacho, back in the starting lineup, was largely ineffective against Liverpool’s left-back Andy Robertson and was substituted in the second half, to the dissatisfaction of the fans. He received a rating of 4.
Bruno Fernandes, playing as the team’s No.10, was unable to exert any significant influence on the game against Liverpool’s dominant midfield, resulting in a rating of 3. Marcus Rashford, a somewhat controversial inclusion in the starting eleven, failed to make a substantial impact, despite creating two chances for Joshua Zirkzee. Rashford’s performance was largely muted, leading to a rating of 4.
Joshua Zirkzee, leading the line for United, struggled in the first half and was nearly substituted early, were it not for Casemiro’s half-time departure. Although he managed to force a save in the 52nd minute and later missed a header opportunity, his overall impact was minimal, earning him a rating of 4.
Overall, the defeat exposed several weaknesses in Manchester United’s lineup, particularly in their defensive organization and midfield cohesion. The performance left much to be desired, and Ten Hag will undoubtedly be looking to address these issues ahead of their next fixture.
