Manchester United’s humiliation at Anfield: How big of a set-back is it for Erik ten Hag?

Unfortunately, humiliating results have become a pattern for Manchester United in recent years and despite the progression shown under Erik ten Hag so far, their latest visit to Anfield showed that these problems still exist.

At the beginning of the season when the fixture lists come out, Liverpool away is one of the first matches that Manchester United fans will look out for.

The long-standing rivalry between Britain’s two biggest clubs is fierce and when the two play against each other, form goes out of the window.

Ten Hag’s men have been on an upwards trend since their dreadful start to the season. Picking up their first trophy in six years last month suggested that an extra page had been turned at Old Trafford.

A visit to Anfield has sent The Reds back down to earth. Losing at the historic ground is not the end of the world but the capitulation on Sunday – conceding seven times – was an eerily reminder of problems that still exist within this squad.

Defeats against Brentford, Manchester City and now Liverpool were not simply losing three points. United fell apart in each of those games – something the fanbase were used to seeing last season.

Ten Hag has impressed so much since joining but this looks to still be United’s biggest kryptonite. Their mentality and strength are truly tested in these games. Victory against Barcelona in the Europa League, and specifically the performance at the Camp Nou, suggested that United can deal with adverse situations. There are too many examples of the team falling apart though.

However, the most recent capitulation feels slightly different to the ones that have occurred over the last few years. That might sound strange considering it was the worst in terms of goals and opposition, yet, there were other factors on the table.

United were on an 11-game unbeaten streak before this game. However, those 12 fixtures had all come within 39 days. Ever since the return to domestic football in December, there has been an overload of games.

Combined with that came a sucker punch, or three in fact. Ten Hag’s men were competing in the first half of their Merseyside encounter, but three goals coming either side of the half-time whistle ended the game. Those were Liverpool’s first shots on target of the game.

Lapses in concentration have happened this season but expert defending has seen United defend their box expertly. This time, the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane were not at their top level to stop these chances from turning into goals.

The last thirty minutes of the game are inexcusable, but the way in which they got there was not the same as against Brentford or City. In those games, United were doomed from the start.

Reports suggest that Ten Hag plans for his players to have more sessions with sports psychologist Rainer Koers. Mentally, the team looked drained in the second half and that will need to be solved. But, despite the manager stating that he saw a team of individuals at Anfield, that is not what these players are.

The result is embarrassing, of course, but it does not seem like it will be the end of this team. The last six months have been filled with progress to the extent that the mass media were attempting to pull United into the title race conversions. That is not their level yet. But the loss against their rivals does not mean they will not reach that level.

Improvements in the squad were needed. That was known. However, now comes the opportunity for The Reds to show that they’re mentally strong than what they showed on the weekend.

However, the team do need the fanbase to stick with them. Frustrations after the game were warranted yet the connection between the team and fans has been crucial in recent months.

This was not helped by Gary Neville proclaiming that Bruno Fernandes was begging to leave the field against Liverpool on Sunday whilst he was on Sky Sports commentary.

The former United captain laid into the Portuguese midfielder – club sources have since explained that Fernandes was seeking clarification for what position he was supposed to be playing, after a number of changes, and not asking to be replaced.

Ten Hag will desperately want to inspire a positive result against Real Betis on Thursday to ensure – he was apologetic to the fanbase after the full-time whistle at Anfield. But, there is confidence that these players will not be defined by this result.