Manchester United’s dismal showing against Liverpool has sparked sharp criticism from former players Roy Keane and Gary Neville. Following the 3-0 loss, Keane described United’s performance as “shocking,” while Neville criticized the team’s numerous errors.
Keane, speaking to Sky Sports, didn’t hold back: “You can try and dress it up, but United were really shocking. Every time Liverpool attacked, it seemed like they were going to score. The manager must be feeling the pressure. I wouldn’t say a manager should lose his job, but the strain must be intense.”
Neville Warns Ten Hag of Imminent Pressure
Neville, who played alongside Keane at Old Trafford, believes Erik ten Hag is currently safe but will face serious scrutiny if results don’t improve. “Ten Hag needs to get United into a Champions League position by Christmas, or he’ll be in trouble,” Neville stated. “If the team is still in eighth place by late November or December, that’s not acceptable.”
Neville also criticized the team’s mistakes during the match. “Every new manager faces challenges here,” he noted. “There’s a feeling of repeating past problems, but it’s important to stay calm.”
Jamie Carragher Predicts Ten Hag’s Departure
On the other hand, Jamie Carragher delivered a blunt assessment, suggesting Ten Hag’s days at United might be numbered. “Ten Hag said we’ll see where we are at the end of the season, but I’d be surprised if he’s still in charge then,” Carragher said. “It looks like a mess. The ownership wasn’t keen on keeping him and tried to find a replacement but didn’t have the courage to make the switch. It’s just delaying the inevitable.”
Ten Hag Acknowledges Mistakes But Credits Liverpool
In response to the defeat, Ten Hag admitted that United made errors but emphasized Liverpool’s clinical finishing. “We made mistakes, and Liverpool was very clinical,” Ten Hag said. “All three goals were due to our errors. Liverpool took advantage of our mistakes and finished well.”
The United manager noted that despite Liverpool’s impressive performance, their expected goals (xG) weren’t exceptionally high. “Liverpool deserved the win, and we need to accept this result and focus on improving our game,” he added.
What’s Next?
As Manchester United grapples with this heavy defeat, the focus will be on how Ten Hag and his team respond in the coming matches.
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