‘F***ing disgrace to get obliterated like that at home’: Manchester United fans rage at abysmal first half against Liverpool as Rio Ferdinand labels display ’embarrassing’ and fans leave Old Trafford at HALF TIME
- United conceded four in first half for the first time in Premier League history
- Naby Keita and Diogo Jota put Liverpool 2-0 up before Mo Salah scored twice
- Salah completed his hat-trick early in the second half as Liverpool ran riot
- Several United fans left Old Trafford at halftime with their team in turmoil
Rio Ferdinand slammed Manchester United for an ’embarrassing’ first half performance against Liverpool, as United fans called for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be sacked following a humiliating defeat to Liverpool.
United were totally abject in the first 45 minutes, conceding four goals in the first half at home for the first time in 70 years and for the first time in Premier League history as Liverpool ran riot.
The defeat was United’s heaviest against Liverpool at home in the history of English football’s biggest rivalry. It also marked the first time United have conceded at least five goals without scoring at Old Trafford since they lost by the same scoreline to Manchester City in February 1955.
Rio Ferdinand described the performance as a case of ‘men against boys’
Naby Keita put the visitors 1-0 up after five minutes, before Diogo Jota added a second eight minutes later and Mohamed Salah scored twice in seven minutes before the break.
Such was Liverpool’s dominance that Ferdinand described the contest as men playing against boys.
‘We are always gonna pose a threat because of the individuals we have…..but we are so easy to play through it’s unreal,’ he tweeted through the first half.
Plenty of fans on social media echoed his feelings and called for Solskjaer to be sacked and describing the performance on Sunday as a ‘disgrace’
![United fans on social media made their feelings about their team's dismal performance clear](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/24/18/49579689-10125865-image-a-16_1635096965729.jpg)
United fans on social media made their feelings about their team’s dismal performance clear
![Some United fans called for Antonio Conte, Erik Ten Hag or Zinedine Zidane to be appointed](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/24/18/49579295-10125865-Some_United_fans_called_for_Antonio_Conte_Erik_Ten_Hag_or_Zinedi-a-12_1635095966806.jpg)
Some United fans called for Antonio Conte, Erik Ten Hag or Zinedine Zidane to be appointed
![Others went as far as ask being for Solskjaer's entire coaching staff to be sacked](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/24/18/49579437-10125865-image-a-13_1635096162831.jpg)
Others went as far as ask being for Solskjaer’s entire coaching staff to be sacked
Some pointed out United conceded more goals in the first 45 minutes against Liverpool than Chelsea have done in nine Premier League games so far and called for Antonio Conte, Erik Ten Hag or Zinedine Zidane to be appointed in place of Solskjaer.
United’s lack of structure has long been one of the main criticism aimed at Solskjaer and his coaching staff, largely because of the defensive frailties that were again laid bare on Sunday.
United haven’t kept a clean sheet in 21 matches and their defensive frailties came under scrutiny on social media. Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, in particular, were singled out for their performances.
England Women’s international Lianne Sanderson said United were so ‘woeful’ Liverpool didn’t even to play particularly well to inflict a humiliating defeat on their rivals.
![England Women's international Lianne Sanderson criticised United for being 'woeful'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/24/18/49579289-0-image-a-3_1635095606003.jpg)
England Women’s international Lianne Sanderson criticised United for being ‘woeful’
![Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw came under criticism for their performance against Liverpool](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/24/18/49579427-10125865-image-a-15_1635096297427.jpg)
Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw came under criticism for their performance against Liverpool
The mood was just as negative at Old Trafford, where several supporters voted with their feet, streaming out at halftime.
The queues for the exit continued during the second half after Liverpool added a fifth goal early on, as Salah completed his hat-trick.
To their credit, the majority of United fans remained in their seats and must have counted themselves lucky Liverpool didn’t step on the gas in the second half.
![Manchester United fans streamed out of Old Trafford at halftime with their team 4-0 down](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/24/17/49578645-0-image-a-1_1635094170263.jpg)
Manchester United fans streamed out of Old Trafford at halftime with their team 4-0 down
![Fans continued to walk out in their droves in the second half after Mo Salah added a fifth goal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/10/24/18/49579691-10125865-image-a-17_1635097180698.jpg)
Fans continued to walk out in their droves in the second half after Mo Salah added a fifth goal
United’s dismal afternoon went from bad to worse as Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside and Paul Pogba was sent off just 15 minutes after coming on at halftime.
The Frenchman was initially booked by Anthony Taylor for a reckless tackle on Keita, before VAR intervened to upgrade the card to red.
The defeat leaves United eight points adrift of league leaders Chelsea, while Liverpool overtake Manchester City in second place and are just one point behind the Blues.