Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had made his last changes. Manchester United were down to 10 men and down 5-0 at Old Trafford to Liverpool. He had switched to a 5-3-1 formation. He had brought on Edinson Cavani, scorer of 423 goals in a glorious career. To play, seemingly, in midfield.
Cavani was tasked with joining Cristiano Ronaldo in attack when United had the ball and retreating into midfield when they did not; unlike many of his teammates, his was a valiant attempt. But it summed up Donny van de Beek’s fortunes that he was overlooked again.
It was another indignity that Cavani has spent more time in United’s midfield than Van de Beek in the Premier League this season: the Dutchman has been rationed to five minutes against Newcastle United. His Champions League campaign consists of 45 minutes before he was hauled off at half time against Young Boys of Bern. He lasted the duration against West Ham in the League Cup, but United’s early exit meant there was no chance for a sequel this week. Nor does he get international football, with a lack of minutes at club level meaning he has been dropped by Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal.
United pulled the plug on a potential loan move to Everton, but have scarcely used him since then and Van de Beek has reportedly changed agent this week in a bid to extricate himself from Old Trafford. Perhaps, more than most, he could be forgiven for hoping Solskjaer’s reign is curtailed. Certainly, there feel few circumstances when the Norwegian turns to the Dutchman. The enduring image of Van de Beek’s season to date was of him throwing his chewing gum to the ground in annoyance when Solskjaer made his final substitution against Villarreal. Needless to say, it was not him.
“I understand Donny, he is frustrated and disappointed,” the United manager said subsequently. That frustration may stem from the sense that United don’t appear to know where or how to use him. Most Solskjaer signings have been earmarked for a role. Van de Beek was occasionally used on the right last season, before they had a surfeit of wingers. He felt the alternative No 10, at best a part-time role when the indispensable Bruno Fernandes was overplayed. Van de Beek himself has argued he often played for Ajax deeper in midfield, but Solskjaer’s preference for Scott McTominay and Fred as the defensive axis, or Paul Pogba for added creativity, is clear. Perhaps the Ajax academy product needs a side with a distinct ethos, whereas United can seem more a group of individuals.
Rewind to last December and an apparently retired Van Gaal bluntly said that Van de Beek had made the wrong choice in moving to Old Trafford. “There are so many teams where Van de Beek would look better than at United,” said the former United manager.
Maybe Real Madrid was one of them. He was expected to head to the Spanish capital before the financial problems caused by coronavirus meant Real lacked the funds. United may have been opportunistic in capitalising on others’ problems to swoop but a coup without a plan was no coup at all. He has become their £40 million white elephant, starting just four of their 47 Premier League games since he signed.
At a time when the midfield is the weakest department of the team, when Fred and McTominay have looked outclassed, when Pogba is suspended and Nemanja Matic in decline, it still seems unlikely that Van de Beek will get his chance. He appears a player waiting for a new era: either at Old Trafford or elsewhere.
Man United v Liverpool ratings
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MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 4 - Conceded now in 13 consecutive home games for United – not that he could do much about the five which past him. A chocolate fireguard would have offered more protection. Good save from Alexander Arnold after 70. EPA -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 3 - Left his man to try and retrieve the ball before Liverpool’s opener. Didn’t. And from there things got even worse. Booked – one of seven United players to get a card on a day of frustration. EPA -
Victor Lindelof 3 - Another in the wrong position for the opener for the most jittery start from United. Ball bounced off him before Liverpool’s third. Booed off at half time with the rest of his teammates by a support who otherwise sang until the end. No wonder several of the players apologised. EPA -
Harry Maguire 2 - Adrift as Liverpool cut United’s defence open from the start and tangled with Shaw for the second as Liverpool went 2-0 up after 13. Things got even worse and he’s having an awful time of it. Booked. Getty -
Luke Shaw 3 - Stranded for Liverpool’s opener. Shot wide from distance after 21, but, like the rest of the defenders, he was all over the place as a far superior Liverpool passed the ball around them. EPA -
Fred 3 - Lovely ball to Ronaldo after three minutes. And that was the highlight as his side were thrashed. Booked. Not even fair to compare him to someone as influential as Jordan Henderson today. Had little time on the ball against a side who never stopped hunting the ball down. EPA -
Scott McTominay 3 - Ran back to dispossess Salah after eight minutes. Does he really want to be reminded of anything after that as Liverpool completely dominated? Headed ball down to set up Cavani after 83. The game was so far gone, there was barely a reaction when the ball went in the net. EPA -
Bruno Fernandes 3 - Skied a third minute shot over. Wasted. Often frustrated, too often argumentative. Booked for this on an afternoon which became deeply embarrassing for the home team. AP -
Mason Greenwood 4 - Was up for it from the start, intercepting a Liverpool attack. Then they scored twice. Shot tested Alisson after 28, but what else can you say about a player on a side which was 4-0 down at half-time for the first time in 31 years? AP -
Marcus Rashford 3 - Lively start and got away from Kieta to shoot wide from 25 yards. But lost in the hideous muddle which developed and for which no words can make up. EPA -
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the field at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021. Liverpool won 5-0. (AP Photo / Rui Vieira) -
SUBS: Paul Pogba 2 - On for Greenwood at HT. Dived in for a challenge with Keita on 58 and was sent off. He should have known far better. AP -
Edinson Cavani 3 - On for Fernandes after 61 as Liverpool fans sang ‘Ole’s at the wheel’ and ‘Ole give us a wave.’ It was that bad. A deflected shot hit the crossbar after 83. EPA -
Diogo Dalot 3 - On for Rashford after 61 as Liverpool fans chanted ‘Ole must stay’ while the speculation about United’s manager skyrocketed. AP -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker 8 - The Brazilian foiled Greenwood and Ronaldo in the first half and was a model of composure. He distributed the ball with his usual aplomb. Getty -
Trent Alexander-Arnold 8 - The 22-year-old was supposed to be the target for Ronaldo and Rashford but was comfortable throughout. He ranged forward at will and supplied the cross for Jota’s goal. Getty -
Ibrahima Konate 8 - The Frenchman got sucked into midfield and went to ground early on but he soon found his feet. He was excellent in the air and strong on the ground. EPA -
Virgil van Dijk 8 - The Dutchman was completely at ease. He oozed class. It is hard to believe that Maguire was a more expensive signing. EPA -
Andrew Robertson 8 - The Scot’s passing was a little inconsistent but he worked the line well. He made himself available as an outlet ball and got better as the game went on. Getty -
Jordan Henderson 8 - The captain was efficient in possession and adapted nicely to the defensive midfield role. His pass for Salah’s hat-trick was splendid. Getty -
James Milner 7 - The 35-year-old limped off injured after 27 minutes but his workrate and appetite were illustrated when he was queuing at the back post behind Jota for a chance to score the second goal. Reuters -
Naby Keita 9 - This was the 26-year-old’s best game for the club. He scored, helped set up two goals and broke up United attacks. He was carried off in the 64th minute after a horrible challenge by Pogba. Getty -
Mohamed Salah 10 - The Egyptian’s pass for the opening goal was wonderful but what followed was exceptional. He tormented United and was rewarded with a hat-trick. AFP -
Roberto Firmino 8 - The Brazilian’s movement and intelligence bemused the defence. He helped create the fourth goal before being replaced by Mane in the 77th minute. EPA -
Diogo Jota 8 - The Portuguese caused havoc down the left. He scored the second goal and set up another for Salah. Getty -
SUBS: Curtis Jones 7 - The 20-year-old replaced Milner in the 27th minute and was given some rough treatment by Ronaldo and Fernandes but never let it affect his game. Getty -
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 7 - The 28-year-old joined the action in the 64th minute when Keita was injured. He was effective on and off the ball as Liverpool cruised towards the final whistle. AFP -
Sadio Mane 6 - The Senegalese was introduced for Firmino with 13 minutes left. He was desperate to score and was perhaps a little too greedy. Reuters
