Manchester United’s Defensive Woes Continue in Humiliating LossManchester United’s Defensive Woes Continue in Humiliating Loss Manchester United’s defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed once again on Saturday as they suffered an embarrassing 5-0 trouncing at the hands of Liverpool. The Red Devils’ defense crumbled under sustained pressure from the hosts, conceding a flurry of goals that left their manager, Erik ten Hag, shell-shocked. Right from the first whistle, Liverpool’s relentless pressing and incisive passing caused United’s defense to teeter. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a clinical finish after a devastating counterattack. Within 10 minutes, the lead was doubled as Darwin Nunez’s acrobatic volley caught David De Gea flat-footed. The third goal arrived on the stroke of halftime, with Salah capitalizing on a defensive mix-up to slot home his second. The second half proved no respite for United, as Roberto Firmino and Nunez added two more strikes to complete the humiliation. United’s defense, which had been a perennial concern under previous managers, has yet to show signs of improvement under ten Hag. The team has conceded 17 goals in their first six Premier League matches, highlighting their vulnerability to swift attacking transitions and set-piece situations. Harry Maguire, the club’s captain, struggled to contain Salah, while Luke Shaw was exposed time and again by Liverpool’s overlapping full-backs. The absence of injured center-back Raphael Varane was also a significant factor in United’s defensive woes. Ten Hag’s decision to field a back three with Maguire as the central defender proved disastrous. The England international’s lack of pace and positional awareness allowed Liverpool’s forwards to exploit the space behind him. The defeat heaps pressure on ten Hag, who was brought in to fix United’s long-standing defensive issues. The Dutchman will need to find a way to shore up his backline quickly or face the prospect of another disappointing season for the Red Devils.
