Erik ten Hag and Manchester United fans made their feelings known to the players at full time of Liverpool thrashing

Mentality monsters? Manchester United were mentally monstered. The scoreline against Liverpool was worse than under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick last season.

Unlike the early evacuation of Old Trafford in October 2021, this was utterly at odds with United's recent progress. This was a performance more in keeping with the white flag-waving displays of last season.

The only quadruple United experienced was another minimum four-goal battering. It was nearly double that. Liverpool have eviscerated United 5-0, 4-0 and 7-0 in the last 17 months. This was the fourth 7-0 thrashing in their 145-year history.

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Since the start of last season, United have conceded at least four goals in nine separate shellackings. Few expected a capitulation as gutless as this from a squad whose mentality has been faultless for most of the last six months.

Erik ten Hag stared stoically as full-time loomed. The away end was half empty. Those in white shirts did not merit applause after such an inexplicable surrender. Those who departed early missed another goal.

Steve McClaren still ushered the players towards the away end and there was applause from those who remained. Ten Hag strode onto the pitch, shook hands with the officials, turned, acknowledged Cody Gakpo and stormed towards the tunnel.

This is a result that warrants another punishing run. Maybe worse. The United supporters who endured such a numbing afternoon might advise something more medieval. In added time, Liverpool broke with five players in the United half to three. The scoreline could have broken double figures.

For a team that finds goals hard to come by, United conceded twice to a goalscorer they passed on. United have had