Paul Scholes and Michael Owen agree over damning Manchester United observation

Paul Scholes and Michael Owen agree over a damning observation they made during the heavy and alarming 4-0 defeat for Manchester United against Liverpool on Tuesday night. After clawing their way back into the battle for top-four, United were well and truly humbled on their trip to Anfield.

Goals from Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah (2) and Sadio Mane did the damage for Liverpool as they kept up pace with Manchester City in the ongoing title race. United, though, dealt a huge boost to rivals Tottenham and Arsenal with eyes still, somehow, fixed on Champions League qualification.

United found themselves 2-0 down inside 22 minutes at Anfield and were second best for the entirety against an opponent who also dished out a 5-0 verdict in the corresponding fixture. Naturally, pundits like former United men Scholes and Owen were quick to take aim at the current crop for their dismal performance.

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Scholes told Premier League Productions: "United lack belief and any way of playing but Liverpool in that first half have been sensational. It's been a masterclass from Liverpool, I've loved watching Thiago, but I'd like to see a little bit of effort from Manchester United. It looks like the last place they want to be at the moment. They've barely put in a tackle, they've just let Thiago dictate."

Speaking on the same panel, Owen added: "It was foot perfect from a Liverpool point of view and everything we thought that would happen. Liverpool are everything Manchester United aren't at the moment. They have started fast, got their goal [through Diaz] and could have had even more."

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