Rashford rubbishes ‘nonsense’ claim United gave up at Anfield

Marcus Rashford has rubbished ‘nonsense’ suggestions that Manchester United gave up in Sunday’s humiliating loss at Liverpool.

Things have been looking up at Old Trafford this season and the sense of progress was underlined by ending FebruarywithfirsttrophyoftheErik ten Hag era.

But just a week on from lifting the Carabao Cup came a crushing capitulation at rivals Liverpool, who inflicted a 7-0defeatontheshell-shocked Red Devils, having only been one goal ahead at half-time.

It equalled United’s heaviestevercompetitivedefeatand led some to suggest the team gave up during a shambolic second-half display.

“We didn’t give up – that’s nonsense,” Rashford said. “We were unorganised, yeah. Communication was bad, yeah, that’s why we conceded the goals.

“But it comes down to the factIbelievethateveryonewas tryingtogetbackintothegame thatmuch,wecameawayfrom the principles in and out of possession too much.

“I felt like the forwards were trying to press as just the forwards unit – we weren’t connected with the midfield. Then the same with the midfield and defence.

“Weweretryingtogetagrip of the game when it was 2-0 and 3-0. We were talking but I don’t think we were really in agreement of what to do.

“Listen, it’s happened and the only thing we can do is learn from it and move on.

“So, I’m happy and gratefulthatwehaveanothergame quickly because we have an opportunitytotakeastepforward from the last game and put it behind us.”

United return to action this evening at Old Trafford, where Real Betis are the visitors in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

Rashford said on social media that United cannot let the7-0loss‘defineourseason’ and echoed Ten Hag’s comments about pressing reset and producing a reaction in Wednesday’spre-matchpress conference.

“Liverpool versus United is a unique game,” he said. “It doesn’t matter about form, it doesn’t matter about individuals’ form.

“It’s a special game of football that’s just decided in the 95 minutes you are on the pitch.

“Like the boss said, it’s about resetting now. That’s all we can do. There’s no point dwelling on what happened because we can’t change it.”