Manchester United’s Premier League campaign went from bad to worse with a 0-3 loss vs Liverpool at Old Trafford.
The match started fairly evenly, even though it was a bit helter-skelter and devoid of control until Casemiro’s moments of madness kicked on.
Two balls lost in a dangerous position, two Liverpool shots, and two goals left United a mountain to climb in the second half. Casemiro was subbed off for Toby Collyer at half-time for his league debut.
That mountain would get taller as regular tormentor Mohamed Salah helped himself to a goal and Liverpool barely looked like they were stretching themselves after that point.
Old Trafford finally lost patience with multiple players and the manager as audible boos rang around the ground at full-time.
Here’s how the players rated-
Andre Onana – 6
Could he have done better for the second goal? Arguably yes. But as it stands, he’s the least of this team’s problems and not directly at fault for any goal.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Absent for the cross which Luis Diaz headed in for Liverpool’s first. Had a tough time against Mohamed Salah and Marcus Rashford didn’t help much.
Matthijs de Ligt – 6.5
The only player to come out of the game with the least bit of credit. Defended well and neither of the goals was a direct mistake.
Lisandro Martinez – 4
Needlessly booked and Liverpool’s press hurried him often as he misplaced passes in his own half. Not his finest game.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
Tested Alisson with a searching shot from the edge of the box and was the second-best defender of a bad lot. Should have done better for the first goal.
Casemiro – 0
The only reason he gets zero is because negative doesn’t read professionally. You have to be unbelievably bad to get the famously loyal Old Trafford to boo you while wearing a United jersey. Culpable for both first-half goals and looked like a deer in headlights as the play buzzed around him. The substitution was an act of mercy by Ten Hag.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4.5
Had a thankless job of sweeping up alone in midfield out of possession, and carrying it forwards in possession as Casemiro looked dazed. Caught on the ball a few times as Liverpool swarmed in numbers.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Tried hard to no avail and misplaced passes in frustration. However, “trying hard” is what can’t be said for other players so at least his commitment was there as always.
Alejandro Garnacho – 5
Barely had enough of the ball to make an impact. Worked hard in tracking back. Supporters made it clear which winger they wanted substituted when he came off for Amad.
Marcus Rashford – 2
Had a lot to prove after retaining his place over Amad but couldn’t do anything despite being one of United’s most experienced players in this fixture. Fans audibly expressed frustration at his lack of invention in the second half. The tide is turning against him and he looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Joshua Zirkzee – 2
This was the true “Welcome to English football” for Zirkzee. Looked behind the pace of the game the whole time as the reality of the Premier League pace set in. Missed two guilt-edged chances in the second half to complete his misery.
Substitutes
Toby Collyer – 6
A thankless position to get his Premier League debut in but he was much better than Casemiro basically by virtue of not being Casemiro, so bad was the Brazilian. Kept it simple and secure, just what United needed.
Amad – 6
Came on to boos but they were more because he didn’t come on for Rashford instead. Should have started in place of the Mancunian and showed much-needed invention and trickery on the right.
Harry Maguire – 6
Came on to manage De Ligt’s minutes in a reverse of the sub in the first two games. United didn’t concede with him on the pitch so that’s something.
Christian Eriksen – 6
Came on extremely late with no time to make in impact.
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