In the second leg of the 2021-22 season, Manchester United swallowed four eggs away from home, with a total score of 0-9 in both legs. In the face of this century-old rival, Manchester United lost to the skin. In the whole game, United had less than 30% of the ball and only 2 shots on goal. Most of United's players were brought in at a high price, and they were the main players of their respective national teams, so why did they hand over such a weak rout?
After the game, various media, celebrities and fans talked about it and disagreed. But in the eyes of Manchester United manager Lonnick, the main reason for the defeat came from the players. In an interview after the game, Lonnick praised Liverpool's players and let's hear what he has to say.
"Klopp came here 6 years ago and he ended up in 8th place in the league after 8 or 9 games, which is a lot like where we are at the moment. He averaged 1.6 points per game that season, but with each transfer window they have evolved to become the strongest team they are today. "Lonnick knows liverpool and Klopp very well, and even calculates the average score per game, but this statement undoubtedly has the meaning of defending himself.
He seems to be saying, don't look at Klopp's current career at Liverpool, but when he first took over Liverpool, he did a similar coaching performance to me, and the league ended up in 8th. But then he still gained trust and the support of the top in the transfer window, and eventually became a strong team. It seems to be telling the United hierarchy that if you give me time and give me the same support, I have the ability to bring United into a strong team.
If the throwing pot wasn't obvious enough, then Lonnick then continued: "I'm not blaming anybody, not my players, not anyone else, but we just need to find out what kind of squad they have. Look at their benches and look at 4 players who aren't even in the squad: Firmino is the only one injured, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Takushi Minamino, Elliott failed to make it to the squad. This shows that they have built a great team with Klopp and his team. It's not just the quality of the players, but the mentality and energy they have, I would say there are 25 Formula 1 cars in their team. ”
On the surface, he was not blaming anyone, but anyone could hear his complaints. Praising Liverpool's players for all being Formula 1 cars, does that mean that Manchester United players are not at enough level? In order to show that losing is not your own coaching ability, publicly praise the opponent's players, belittle your own players, who will serve you next?
In fact, this is not the first time that Lonnick has said something low about emotional intelligence in front of the media. It's clear that after Lonnick took office, United's dressing room problems were more serious than ever. And many of the problems were picked out by Lonnick himself, but then publicly refuted by the players, and this kind of face punch was jaw-dropping.
Of course, the players have problems, but as the manager, Lonnick can throw it so clean? Manchester United attacked, but also away from home, Rangnick put on his own very unfamiliar 3-centre-back formation, but also asked Manchester United players to press high, which is undoubtedly self-inflicted.
United's first goal conceded came from an immature aggressive pressing strategy. At 4:11, Liverpool had the ball in possession at the back and United put five players into the front. But we can see that United's pressing is only invisible, and after being easily defused by Liverpool, the ball came to the feet of Alexander-Arnold on the right. At this time, the defensive strength of Manchester United's front has not returned to position, and there has been a huge vacuum in the midfield.
When Mane received Henderson's pass, he didn't have any defensive forces around him to limit him, the most recent was Maguire, but also more than 10 meters apart, and this position was supposed to be the defensive range of the back. Therefore, the tall and bulky Maguire did not play any role in this defense, but caused the emptiness of the defense. Mane found Salah with an oblique pass, the entire United defence was instantly pierced, Salah made a cross, and Luis Díaz easily pushed the empty goal. From the front of the field to the goal, the process is only more than 20 seconds.
As can be seen from this goal, Lonnick's tactical arrangement was a complete failure. He emulated Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's often used 3 centre-backs when playing in strong teams before, and that was the right starting point. Because Manchester United's defence is not good, increasing manpower is the best way to limit Liverpool's attack. He asked United to take the initiative, which was actually the middle of Klopp's decline. For Liverpool, who are already smooth and fast in attack, it is easy to penetrate United's paper paste defense. Conceded the ball in four minutes and United were effectively defeated.
For a manager, the most taboo thing is to publicly criticize or complain about his players after the game, and there have been previous managers who have proved that this does not work. This is a fatal blow to morale, especially now that United are in the crucial stage of the fight for 4. I don't know if Lonnick is considering the reasons for his interim manager, it is a big deal to leave after the end of the season, Gu Yu is just a quick mouth.