Manchester United’s shocking performance in midfield was highlighted for criticism in their 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to 17 games in the Premier League with a convincing 3-1 victory over their long-time rivals at Anfield.
Sadio Mane opened the scoring for the Reds when Ashley Young lost sight of his run into the box, the 26-year-old controlled the ball expertly with his chest before volleying past a hopeless De Gea.
United got back into the game against the run of play with a goal from Jesse Lingard, but Liverpool finished off Mourinho’s men in the second half via a brace from Xherdan Shaqiri.
United were outplayed from the kick-off with the Reds frequently able to get behind United’s floundering defenders. World Cup winner Paul Pogba was left on the bench for this one and the Red Devils suffered as a result.
Mourinho’s men could not get control of the ball in the middle of the park. They frequently gave the ball away with terrible passes and worse touches as Liverpool toyed with them in midfield.
Gary Neville, who was sharing the commentary box with Martin Tyler and Jamie Carragher, did not hold back in his criticisms of his former club’s passing
“Manchester United don’t have a central midfield player that can pass a football. In the club. Not one of them can take the ball properly, on the half-turn, see a pass,” said Neville.
Midfield dominated by LFC and Paul Pogba can't get on the park when United are 3-1 down?! 🤷
♂️🤷
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) December 16, 2018
Neville was not the only pundit critical of United’s midfield. Robbie Savage described it as “non-existent”.
“What can you say about Manchester United? In the middle of the park they’re non-existent, there’s nothing – there’s no creativity, no bite, no tenacity,” said the former Birmingham City and Blackburn midfielder during BBC coverage.
“What must Paul Pogba be thinking on the bench?”
Savage was also critical of United’s captain on the day, Ashley Young, for his role in Shaqiri’s first goal of the game.
He added: “Ashley Young should get out to him quick, he turns his back. You’ve got the armband on, be stronger, throw yourself in front of it.”
Liverpool’s victory returns the tot he top of the table, meanwhile United fall 11 points behind the top four and a massive 19-points behind Liverpool.
The post Man Utd’s “non-existent” midfield slated after 3-1 defeat to Liverpool appeared first on Squawka News.
From Squawka NewsSquawka News https://ift.tt/2Emgbnc
No comments:
Post a Comment