WHAT THEY SAID

HOW THE PUNDITS SUMMED IT UP

Paul Scholes last Wednesday after the close shave against Atalanta:

“In the first half United were all over the place. If you do that against Manchester City or Liverpool, at half-time it will be three or four-nil. They will be out of the game.”

Scholes after the thrashing by bitter rivals Liverpool on Sunday:

“United have been really poor. Against their biggest rivals, in their biggest game, it has been difficult to watch. Ultimately it’s just not good enough. I thought this was possible and all our worst fears have come true.”

Michael Owen:

“Manchester United don’t seem to have any sort of shape to press from and Liverpool are on a different planet. United’s wide players don’t track back and that means the defensive midfielders have had to go out wide, which leaves space in the middle.”

Gary Neville:

“I was thinking about how

Man Utd deal with this as a club. This is a monstrous day for Manchester United. Losing 5-0 at home to Liverpool. The board are unequivocal in their support of the manager, but that’s going to put an enormous amount of pressure on him. “Something’s got to change in that dressing room and with that coach. They can’t keep losing games like that.

“I didn’t ever think it would get as bad as that. As bad as it’s been in this fixture and as bad as the gap has been between the two, because it’s always been a tight game.

“But that was a shocker. The timing couldn’t be worse.”

Graeme Souness:

“It’s never easy to come to Old Trafford but it was today. That has to come down to the coaching staff. Liverpool were fabulous and got the goals. It’s a sad, sad day for United.”

Jamie Carragher:

“I think it’s a stage of panic now for United. On Monday I wasn’t trying to be critical of Ole. I think he’s done a good job but at this point to take on the other clubs they need a better manager. I felt for Ole there. That will be the darkest day in his career and you always have that sympathy for the manager. But I feel comfortable saying United need a new manager. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will never be Klopp, Tuchel or Guardiola.”