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    Ralf Rangnick blasts ‘extremely embarrassing’ performance as Man United suffer historic drubbing

    Planet Sport writerStaff Writer20 April 2022
    Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick after the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester.

    Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick after the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester.

    Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick admitted Liverpool are on a ‘different level’ following their 4-0 defeat at Anfield.

    The Red Devils looked helpless as goals from Luis Diaz, Sadio Mane and a brace from Mohamed Salah completed a comprehensive victory for Liverpool.

    Jurgen Klopp's men dominated proceedings from the very first whistle to continue their push for the Premier League title.

    Following the loss, Rangnick admitted that a serious rebuild was needed at Old Trafford, saying: "I don't think they have mentally checked out, it is just a different level. [Liverpool] have better players than we have and this was really reflected by the result today.

    "There will be a rebuild for sure, that was obvious in the first three or four weeks for me. For us it is extremely embarrassing as a coaching staff to sit here and have a press conference like this. We just have to admit they are better than us."

    The defeat leaves United three points away from fourth-placed Tottenham with just five games to go. To make matters worse, Spurs and Arsenal also have games in-hand.

    One stat which encapsulates United's current state, is the fact their cumulative 9-0 defeat to Liverpool this season is their second-worst in history.

    This season's capitulations against the Reds are only surpassed by the 11-0 cumulative loss against Sunderland in the 1892/93 campaign.
    Looking back at the performance, Rangnick added: "We have to be critical with ourselves. The way we played in the first 45 minutes was in no area what we wanted to see or play.
    "Since we had all our defensive midfielders not available we decided to go with the back five… I don't think the first half had anything to do with our formation.
    "The way we conceded the first goal was definitely not part of our game-plan. It affected our confidence. The first half was not good enough.
    "We changed from a back five to a back four. The first 25 minutes of the second half was much better but the story of those 25 minutes was we didn't score a goal. The third goal was on the blacklist of what we shouldn't do against Liverpool."

    Next up for United is another tricky away clash against fellow top-four challengers Arsenal on Saturday, April 23.

    READ MORE: Man Utd news: Roy Keane says club is in 'disarray' after Liverpool hammering

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