![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Man-United-boss-Erik-ten-Hag-696x391.jpg\" "\\"Man-United-boss-Erik-ten-Hag\\"\/")
<\/div>\nManchester United manager Erik ten Hag says his side \u201clost our heads\u201d\u00a0in the 7-0 thrashing by Liverpool\u00a0on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The defeat was United\u2019s joint-heaviest in a competitive game while it was Liverpool\u2019s biggest win against their ris.<\/p>\n
Ten Hag\u2019s side were 1-0 down at the break before letting in six goals in the second half at Anfield.<\/p>\n
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\u201cSecond half it was not us. It was not our standards. We didn\u2019t play as a team,\u201d said Ten Hag.<\/p>\n
Asked if he was angry with his side\u2019s second-half display, he added: \u201cYes, definitely, and surprised because I have seen the last weeks and months a team that is resilient and determined with a winning attitude.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t stick to the plan, we lose our heads. We didn\u2019t do our jobs. We didn\u2019t track back and it was really unprofessional.\u201d<\/p>\n
This was United\u2019s first 7-0 defeat since they were thrashed by Wolves in December 1931, while the Red Devils were also beaten by the same score by Aston Villa in 1930 and Blackburn Rovers in 1926.<\/p>\n
Ten Hag took over at United last summer and suffered a 4-0 defeat by Brentford and a 6-3 reverse at Manchester City early in his tenure.<\/p>\n
The Dutchman added: \u201cWe have seen in the past we can bounce back. After Brentford, after Manchester City. This is definitely a strong setback and is unacceptable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe let the fans down and I\u2019m really disappointed and angry about it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a reality check\u2026 It\u2019s a strong message [that] we get.\u201d<\/p>\n
The defeat at Liverpool came a week after Ten Hag won his first trophy with United when they beat Newcastle United to win the Carabao Cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a really bad performance and the worst of the year,\u201d said Ten Hag.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe lost the game at the end of the first half and at the start of the second but you have to keep your head up and we didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all about showing discipline and we didn\u2019t, so that\u2019s when you start conceding goals.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a really unprofessional performance and unnecessary. You have to do your jobs and we didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the fans who travelled to Anfield, he said: \u201cThat was tough and we really have to thank them. I can\u2019t blame them for leaving because it was a really bad performance, I\u2019m ashamed myself for the fans today.\u201d<\/p>\n
United remain third in the Premier League but are 14 points behind leaders Arsenal and nine adrift of Manchester City after both won on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The Red Devils\u2019 next game is against Real Betis in the Europa League on Thursday (20:00 GMT) before they return to league action when they host relegation-battling Southampton on Sunday (14:00 GMT).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have made a lot of progress but you see what happens when you don\u2019t keep standards,\u201d said Ten Hag.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I have said in the dressing room is that this is unacceptable. But also it is only one game.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will bounce back. This team is strong enough and we will reset and bounce back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Midfielder Bruno Fernandes and forward Marcus Rashford missed promising chances for United before Liverpool took the lead and went on to dominate.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is very frustrating, disappointing, sad because it is a really bad result. We came here with a different mindset before the game,\u201d said Fernandes, who was heavily criticised by Sky pundit Gary Neville after the match.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first half was really good from ourselves, we had a lot of chances. We controlled most of the first half I think. They didn\u2019t create that much.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe tried to go forward and score goals and we lost a bit of balance. We gave too much space away against this kind of team. We have to avoid that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Important everybody knows we\u2019re still here \u2013 Klopp<\/strong><\/p>\n Liverpool have got their faltering season back on track with four wins from their past five top-flight games and have moved up to fifth in the Premier League.<\/p>\n They are three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham having played a game less, although Newcastle United and Brighton could move above Liverpool if they win their games in hand.<\/p>\n Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp called the win against United a \u201cspecial\u201d result considering the \u201clower level of confidence\u201d his team had against Ten Hag\u2019s side after the different campaigns both teams have had this season.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sounds like a game from another season, it doesn\u2019t really fit into this season so far,\u201d said Klopp.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so incredibly important for us. We need results and for that you need performances and tonight we got both. The start of the game was super-dominant and super-flexible.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know the result is a freak but the performance was outstanding and that is what I take.<\/p>\n \u201cA few months ago, everyone thought it was a good moment to play Liverpool \u2013 you can\u2019t say it publicly but everyone thought it \u2013 because they felt we were struggling a lot, but now it is less of a good moment. We look much more like ourselves.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is important that everybody knows we are still here and we are still alive. We have to keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah all scored twice against United, while Roberto Firmino rounded off the victory after coming off the bench.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were so clinical, so good in every area of the pitch and we couldn\u2019t have ever envisaged this score but when players are confident, that\u2019s what happens. Something just clicked,\u201d said Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson.<\/p>\n \u201cIt felt like we were all over them and knew where the ball was going to be at all times.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n