Erik ten Hag tears into 'unprofessional' Manchester United stars

Erik ten Hag was furious with his side's "unprofessional" display after Liverpool inflicted a 7-0 humiliation that equalled Manchester United’s heaviest ever competitive defeat.

A week on from lifting the Carabao Cup and ending the club’s six-year wait for silverware, the Old Trafford giants were brought back down to earth with a bump by Jurgen Klopp’s Reds at a rocking Anfield.

Cody Gakpo’s smart strike had Liverpool ahead at the break and nobody could have foreseen the way United would unravel as an even first half was followed by a shambolic second period.

Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah – who became Liverpool’s all-time leading Premier League scorer – ended the day with two goals apiece, with substitute Roberto Firmino completing a win that will live long in the memory of both clubs.

Sunday’s 7-0 Anfield annihilation equalled United’s record competitive defeat – against Blackburn in 1926, Aston Villa in 1930 and Wolves in 1931 – and infuriated Ten Hag.

"The result is quite obvious," the Dutchman said. "It’s unprofessional.

"But I think it’s a huge difference in Brentford (in August). We were 4-0 down at half-time, so we started the game very bad.

"I haven't seen this from my team I don’t think it’s us. I don’t think it’s Manchester United, so that’s really bad and poor."

"Today, first half, I think we were the better team. First half, we created the better chances and we had two one-on-ones with the goalie and they hadn’t.

"Then before half-time we make one mistake - organisation - and we concede a goal, so I think we were in the game.

"So, it was really a surprise for me that after half-time we so quickly gave the game away.

"First two goals, two defensive transition moments. First was a turnover, second was a counter.

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