Eleven of the 16 Manchester United players who featured in the unforgettable 7-0 loss to Liverpool back in March remain in Erik ten Hag’s squad despite the Dutchman accusing them of unprofessionalism. The Red Devils suffered one of the worst defeats in Premier League history against their bitter rivals at Anfield, where they return today (4.30pm kick-off).
It was only 1-0 at half-time due to Cody Gakpo’s goal but by 50 minutes it was 3-0 after Darwin Nunez, and Gakpo, put the result beyond doubt. United capitulated after that with a Mohamed Salah brace, Nunez’s second goal, and a late Roberto Firmino effort piling on the misery.
Ten Hag fumed afterwards: “It was unprofessional. It really surprised me after half-time, we gave the game [away] so quickly. As a team you have to stick together. That is what we didn’t do. I didn’t see this from my team. I don’t think it is Manchester United. It was really bad, really poor.”
Yet 11 of the 16 players who played in that fixture remain at United. David de Gea made just one save as he conceded seven and has since been replaced by Andre Onana in goal. De Gea remains without a club and could join Newcastle on a free transfer in the coming weeks.
The defence that day comprised of Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Diogo Dalot though Shaw and Martinez may miss this weekend’s match due to injury. As will Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire who were both on the bench at Anfield last time out alongside Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
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Only Malacia entered the pitch – which he has not yet done this term due to fitness issues. Midfielder Fred lasted just 58 minutes before being replaced by Scott McTominay and now plays for Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Lig, where he has five assists in 16 matches. He was partnered by Casemiro who will be another injured absentee for Ten Hag today.
In attack, Bruno Fernandes – suspended this afternoon – started at left wing with the on loan Wout Weghorst in the No 10 role. The Burnley striker is now on loan at Bundesliga side Hoffenheim and has four goals in 12 games – double the amount he managed in 31 Red Devils appearances.
Antony and Marcus Rashford completed the attack and could both start today. Rashford and Weghorst were eventually replaced by Anthony Elanga and Alejandro Garnacho on their last trip to L4. While Garnacho is now one of United’s main options on the left, Elanga plays for Nottingham Forest.
The Swede has three goals and three assists in 16 Premier League matches for Forest since a £15million-plus-bonuses move. The fifth player to come off the bench that day was Marcel Sabitzer, who was on loan from Bayern Munich.
The Austrian now plays for Bayern’s rivals Borussia Dortmund and has three goals and three assists in 17 outings. He contributed three goals and one assist in 18 appearances while at Old Trafford.
Tom Heaton and Jadon Sancho completed the squad in March and remain at the club but the latter, 37, has made zero appearances in goal. Sancho meanwhile is effectively no longer a United player as long as Ten Hag remains in charge. He has been suspended after a falling out with the Dutch coach and could leave in the January transfer window.
United take on their Merseyside rivals again this afternoon hoping to fare far better than on their last visit. Fresh from an embarrassing Champions League group stage exit, though, the odds are stacked against Ten Hag’s away team.
Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd: Where are they now?
Still at Man Utd: Shaw, Martinez, Varane, Dalot, Malacia, Casemiro, McTominay, Rashford, Fernandes, Antony, Garnacho
Left Man Utd: De Gea, Fred, Weghorst, Sabitzer, Elanga
Didn’t play: Maguire, Heaton, Sancho, Wan-Bissaka
