Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag slammed his "unprofessional" players following the historic 7-0 defeat to arch-rivals Liverpool on Sunday.
United entered the match in excellent form, winning eight of their previous nine Premier League matches while also eliminating Barcelona from the Europa League and winning the League Cup last weekend. It ignited talk of a late title challenge, but after the shambles at Anfield and the manner of the capitulation, Ten Hag will hope it does not derail the overall progress made under his leadership.
After an even first half, which United perhaps even shaded, goals either side of the interval from Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez saw Liverpool take control and United completely collapse. Gakpo and Nunez helped themselves to another goal each, while Mohamed Salah also scored a brace to become Liverpool's all-time leading Premier League goalscorer.
Substitute Roberto Firmino, whom Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed will leave the club at the end of the season, then added the seventh to complete the rout late on.
"You can lose a game but not in the way we lose in the second half," Ten Hag said. "In the first half, we played very decent. We created the better chances and then made an organisational mistake.
"The second half was unprofessional. It can’t happen and we have to talk about it. I do think we played decent in the first half but the second half was not us. Not our standards. We didn't play as a team."
Asked if he was angry, Ten Hag replied: "Yes, definitely, and surprised. I have seen, the last weeks and months, a team that is really in a winning attitude. In the second half, we did not have a winning attitude at all."
Liverpool v Man United player ratings
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LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Alisson - 7. Calm and assured during a relatively even first half. A spectator in the second half as his outfield teammates ran riot at the other end of the pitch. Getty -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7. Took care of his defensive responsibilities and pushed forward in the second half as Liverpool pinned United back. Getty -
Ibrahima Konate - 8. Rock solid at the back, with the Frenchman producing several interceptions, blocks, and clearances in the first half. Konate could then enjoy the view in the second half. Getty -
Virgil van Dijk - 8. A vintage Van Dijk display as the Dutchman led the defensive line and kept United's attacks through the middle quiet. Getty -
Andrew Robertson - 9. A British media outlet asked its readers in the build-up to this match to select their combined XI. Bafflingly, Shaw was chosen ahead of Robertson. After this performance, the Scot offered another reminder that there really is no comparison. Ran United ragged down the left and provided a superb assist for Gakpo's opener. AFP -
Harvey Elliott - 8. A display beyond his years from the 19-year-old midfielder. Supplied the cross for Nunez's first - Liverpool's second - and helped dominate United in midfield in the second half. Getty -
Fabinho - 8. Apparently the Brazilian's legs are gone. There was little evidence to support that argument at Anfield as Fabinho controlled the midfield in the second half to allow his attacking teammates to fill their boots. PA -
Jordan Henderson - 8. A controlled performance from the Liverpool captain, who helped his side dominate in the second half. Supplied the cross for Nunez's second and Liverpool's fourth. EPA -
Mohamed Salah - 10. Two goals and two assists to become Liverpool's all-time leading Premier League goalscorer. It was Salah at his devastating best - as he so often is against United. Getty -
Cody Gakpo - 9. The Dutch forward hinted at the World Cup he was a player for the big occasion, and after a goal in the Merseyside derby, went one better on Sunday. Gakpo scored two stunning goals to play a key role in this historic rout. AFP -
Darwin Nunez - 9. The Uruguayan has been an easy target for mockery during his debut season but this should silence the haters. Nunez was lethal against United by scoring two excellent headers. He now has 14 goals in all competitions. EPA -
Stefan Bajcetic (Henderson 78') - N/A. The 18-year-old Spanish midfielder provided some fresh legs in midfield. EPA -
Diogo Jota (Nunez 78') - N/A. Given a brief run-out as the Portuguese forward continues to find his fitness following a long-term calf injury. EPA -
Roberto Firmino (Gakpo 79') - 8. The Brazilian is set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, but the club might be keen to convince him to stay after this brilliant cameo. Credited with the assist for Salah's second then scored Liverpool's seventh with a fine finish. EPA -
James Milner (Fabinho 79') - N/A. Brought his experience to the match for the final 11 minutes. Reuters -
Curtis Jones (Elliott 85') - N/A. AP -
MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: David De Gea – 2. Conceded seven goals at Anfield. Seven. He wasn’t at fault for Liverpool’s first shot on target – Gapko’s first goal. That’s about the best thing we can say about his performance. AFP -
Diogo Dalot – 2. Magnificent cross to Fernandes on 25 and headed a Shaw free-kick on target after 32 as United built pressure. Didn’t stop Robertson’s in run up to Liverpool’s goal. Got worse and worse in the second half. AFP -
Raphael Varane – 2. A doubt before the game like Shaw, but Fabinho’s arm in his face let him know what this game means. Slow as he let Gapko get onto his favoured foot to shoot and put Liverpool ahead. Couldn’t clear his lines for the second and what was he doing for sixth? Or was it the seventh? AFP -
Lisandro Martinez – 2. Headed a 21st minute Robertson shot clear and blocked Nunez a minute later. Then his arm blocked the dangerous Salah. Fell apart like his team. Booked. AFP -
Luke Shaw – 2. Impressive again down the left in the first half. Deliberately slowed the game down at the start – it appeared to be an instruction from his manager. Superb pass to Rashford on 26. Poor pass which let Liverpool in for the second. Lost his head in the second half, like the rest of United. An embarrassment of an afternoon. Getty -
Casemiro – 2. Appeared to be in pain early on and he gave the ball away a couple of times. His worst game for United. Went too early - his 41st minute header into the net was offside. PA -
Fred – 2. Strong against Salah but positioning all wrong for Liverpool’s opener. Then then it all turned as United collapsed and Liverpool recorded their biggest ever win against United. Getty -
Antony – 2. Played left in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Curled a shot on target on nine minutes, drew strong tackles, looked a danger. Poor final ball. Regressed like the rest in his first game for United at Anfield. PA -
Bruno Fernandes – 1. Headed a Dalot cross wide on 25. He was attacking on 49 – the ball was lost, Liverpool countered and scored the third. Gave ball away again too much in the second, then went down claiming he’d been hit on the face. He hadn’t. Appalling in the second half, the worst of a bad bunch. AFP -
Wout Weghorst – 2. Played as a 10, gave ball away in a 24th minute attack. It didn’t work, while Liverpool’s attackers showed what top quality looked like. Getty -
Marcus Rashford – 2. Played centrally and beat Van Dijk for pace in the first half. Didn’t get the best touch to a fine Shaw ball on 27 – a solid chance. Ran back and defended well when his side were a man down. Hit the outside of the post at 0-4, the closest United came to scoring. PA -
SUBS: Scott McTominay (Fred 57’) – 2. Booked for a tackle on Gapko. He won the ball but then lifted his studs. Shot deflected off him for Liverpool’s fourth. PA -
Alejandro Garnacho (Weghorst 57’) – 2. Nothing. Let’s hope he never wants to feel this humiliation again. AFP -
Marcel Sabitzer (Casemiro 57’) – 2. Couldn’t stem the relentless attacks. AFP -
Tyrell Malacia (Martinez 77’) – N/A. What could he do? Soak the atmosphere up? AFP
Ten Hag refused to blame tiredness or fatigue for United's shocking second-half display and insisted it was all about the mentality of his players.
"No, nothing to do with that because we can bring the performance four days ago, seven days ago. It's nothing to do with that. It's just about the head," he said. "We know Liverpool are a good transition team. When you are 1-0 down, you can't lose your head and bring them into the transition moments.
"We did not make the right decisions in the defensive actions. That is unprofessional. We have high standards and that's not what we showed today in the second half."
United remain third in the Premier League table but 14 points behind leaders Arsenal, though they have a game in hand on the Gunners and second-placed Manchester City, who they trail by nine points.
Despite the Liverpool setback and his clear anger at his team's performance, Ten Hag was keen to press that it was only one result and believes his players will respond to the disappointment.
"I said in the dressing room it's not acceptable, their performance, it's clear. But it's only one game, though a big defeat, unacceptable, and especially for our fans, especially against Liverpool," he said.
"We will bounce back. This team is strong enough to go, reset itself, and we will bounce back. I know my players, they are good characters, and they can bounce back and they will do."
