Manchester United legend Gary Neville has hit out at the club's 'disgraceful' performance during this evening's 7-0 defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Liverpool, reserving particular criticism for captain Bruno Fernandes.
The Red Devils suffered their joint-biggest defeat of all time, and their heaviest since 1931, as Liverpool ran riot in the second half at Anfield.
All seven goals came after the 43rd minute, with Cody Gakpo breaking the deadlock shortly before half time and Liverpool then going on to add six more goals without reply in the second half.
Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah all helped themselves to braces, with Salah's two goals seeing him overtake Robbie Fowler as Liverpool's all-time leading Premier League scorer.
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Roberto Firmino, who it was revealed this week will leave the club at the end of the season, then wrapped up the rout with a historic seventh late on, sealing Liverpool's biggest-ever victory over Man United.
Fernandes was visibly frustrated at various points in the second half, at one stage refusing to track back after being beaten by Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Neville labelled the Portuguese playmaker's behaviour "embarrassing".
"He's dealt with setbacks well Erik ten Hag. This is a big one today. They've just gone to pieces in this second half. They've lost goals, discipline, lost their shape – everything," Neville told Sky Sports News.
"That first 40 minutes was what I would call a classic away performance at Anfield. Manchester United weathered the storm and it looked like they were going to get that goal and go ahead at half time.
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"The second half has been an absolute disgrace, a shambles. They have not been epitomised more than Bruno Fernandes, who has been embarrassing – a shambles – in this game. But I have to say it's not their usual performance. It's not their usual spirit and form. Ten Hag will deal with it I'm sure, like he's dealt with other difficult issues.
"The second half was an absolute disgrace. I'll start with the captain because you are the captain of the football club. Bruno can wind you up sometimes because of the way he is, but that was appalling in the second half.
"The rest of them didn't show. The whole back four was a disgrace. That can't become the norm. That has to be put down as something we never see again."
Man United are next in action when they face Real Betis in the Europa League on Thursday, while Liverpool take on Bournemouth next Saturday.
Barney Corkhill
