Manchester United were thrashed 7-0 by Liverpool at Anfield; United conceded six goals in the second half and Gary Neville says Bruno Fernandes' behaviour summed up their second half display; Fernandes was branded as "embarrassing" and "a shambles"
Monday 6 March 2023 10:43, UK
Bruno Fernandes was an "embarrassment" and summed up Manchester United’s 7-0 thrashing by Liverpool at Anfield, according to Sky Sports' Gary Neville.
Erik ten Hag's side conceded six goals the second half in a stunning collapse at the home of their biggest rivals, as United suffered their heaviest defeat since Boxing Day 1931.
Throughout that second half, Fernandes was criticised by Neville for feigning injury under challenges by Ibrahima Konate and Alisson Becker - and the Sky Sports pundit criticised the Portugal midfielder after Liverpool scored their sixth.
"Bruno Fernandes is stood in the centre circle with his arms raised saying 'Why isn't it me coming off?' Honestly," said Neville.
"I think some of his behaviour in the second half has been a disgrace."
Asked to summarise United's display at Liverpool, Neville added: "That first 40 minutes was what I would call a classic away performance at Anfield. Manchester United weathered the storm and it looked like they were going to get that goal and go ahead at half-time.
"The second-half has been an absolute disgrace, a shambles. They have not been epitomised more than Bruno Fernandes, who has been embarrassing - a shambles - in this game.
"But I have to say it's not their usual performance. It's not their usual spirit and form. Ten Hag will deal with it I'm sure, like he's dealt with other difficult issues."
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, the former United defender continued: "The second half was an absolute disgrace. I'll start with the captain because you are the captain of the football club.
"Bruno Fernandes can wind you up sometimes because of the way he is, but that was appalling in the second half.
"The rest of them didn't show up. The whole back four was a disgrace. That can't become the norm. That has to be put down as something we never see again."
Fellow Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane also hit out at Fernandes' conduct at Anfield, warning him and his United team-mates that the "circus" is creeping back into the club.
"Fernandes' body language was nothing short of disgraceful, " said Keane. "He's a really talented boy but he's your captain. So much talent but his body language of waving his arms about and not running back? You wouldn't be happy with him in your dressing room.
"The thing I'm always wary of with Man Utd is: they won the cup last week, a lot of celebration and of course I'd never begrudge a team of that. But they turned up against West Ham, I'm at the game, and the circus is back in town at Man Utd.
"I was always wary of that as a player there: keeping an eye on people, don't get carried away because you know what this game can do to you.
"I see the players come here in the second half having a laugh and a joke. They're 1-0 down at Anfield and they're having a laugh and a joke with the Anfield staff, goalkeeping coach! I don't like to see all that rubbish!
"I think that circus can creep back in and the manager and senior players have to keep an eye on that. It was the same against West Ham the other night: a lot of celebrations and presentations. I understand one or two - but not four or five.
"And today at half-time, there were players walking down the tunnel having a laugh and a joke. You're 1-0 down at Anfield, this is a serious business. This is big boy stuff and forget all of this laughing and joking rubbish. And in the second half where there are some players throwing the towel in, you don't expect them to be laughing at the end of the game."
Keane also added he would "go into hiding" if he was a player who put in that type of display.
"The senior players at Man United, the big players, the ones we give a big build-up to, the experienced players - they are the ones who let the club down today," said Keane.
"I try and imagine: if I had ever been beaten in a big game like this, I would go into hiding as a player. You would. Never mind a few days, a few months!
"It really is that embarrassing for the players. What can you do? That's the game. They have to bounce back and they have a big European game in the middle of the week."
Bruised Man Utd boss Ten Hag told Sky Sports he could not explain the manner of his side's second-half capitulation and took aim at their "unprofessional" performance in front of the club's travelling fans.
He said: "I don't have an explanation. I have to find out, it's only going on what I've seen. The first half was quite in control. Maybe we had the better chances, we made one mistake.
"In defensive transition, there was no team any more, we didn't stick to the plan, there were 11 individuals. I don't know, it was really bad.
"I've given my opinion [to the players]. It's unprofessional, you have to stick together as a team, fight with each other, and we didn't do that. We were really indisciplined in our jobs.
"You can have setbacks, but what can't happen is that you don't stick together. You have to do your job. It's not possible that we made the wrong decisions in the transition and then we didn't run and match the runs. We didn't track back. For me, that's unprofessional.
"I'm really disappointed and angry, especially for our fans. We let them down, but also as a squad, as a team, you can't allow this. You have to stick together, you have to fight with each other and support each other, and you have to defend. That's what we didn't do.
"It's one game, but a big defeat, unacceptable, especially for our fans, especially against Liverpool, but we will bounce back. This team is strong enough, we will reset ourselves, and we will bounce back."
