Roy Keane told Manchester United's players to 'go into hiding' after their embarrassing performance to lose 7-0 to Liverpool.
Keane gave an honest – and by his standards, relatively measured – assessment of Erik ten Hag's side after an abject second half performance saw them ship six goals to an inspired Liverpool at Anfield.
United had spurned chances to go in front, but after Cody Gakpo made it 1-0 just before half-time, the floodgates opened after the break with United's players losing their heads.
It allowed Jurgen Klopp's side to run riot and the criticism rightly rained down on United afterwards, as they suffered defeat by a record margin for the club in the Premier League. Keane told United's senior players that they had to take responsibility for the defeat.
"The senior players at Man United, the ones we give the big build-up to, they're the ones who really let the club down today," Keane said in the Sky Sports studio.
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"I always said if we ever got beaten in a big game like today six or seven nil, you'd go into hiding as a player. Never mind a few days, I think I'd go missing for a few months! It really is that embarrassing for the players."
The former United captain then told the players to pick themselves up off the canvas, ahead of their Europa League tie against Real Betis, the first leg of which is on Thursday.
United have enjoyed a stellar season under Ten Hag, winning the Carabao Cup and competing on three other fronts, but it will be a test of their mettle how they recover from such a defeat.
Keane added: "What can you do? That's the game. they have to bounce back, they've got a big European game during the week.
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"But let's not take anything away from Liverpool, they looked so sharp, they looked fresher, clinical, they looked fantastic.
"I'm not sure what else to say. I'm in shock."
Topics: Liverpool, Manchester United, Roy Keane, Erik Ten Hag
Dominic Booth