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Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has fired back at any critics who have suggested that he and his teammates downed tools in Sunday’s humiliating loss to Liverpool at Anfield.
United had landed their first piece of domestic silverware under Erik ten Hag just a week before their trip to Merseyside, though the Red Devils were sent crashing back down to earth after a humbling 7-0 rout against their arch-rivals.
The harrowing loss equalled United’s heaviest-ever competitive defeat and their display was so shambolic in the second half that many observers suggested their players had simply given up.
Rashford responds to critics
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Speaking in the build-up to Man Utd’s Europa League date with Spanish outfit Real Betis at Old Trafford on Thursday, Rashford responded to the claims that he and his fellow United players had stopped trying at Anfield, saying:
“We didn’t give up – that’s nonsense. We were unorganised, yeah. Communication was bad, yeah, that’s why we conceded the goals.
“But it comes down to the fact I believe that everyone was trying to get back into the game that much, we came away from 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.
“We were trying to get a grip 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.”
Rashford keen to move on
Marcus Rashford also revealed he was keen to move on from Sunday’s horror show as quickly as possible, and earlier in the week, the striker posted a message on social media saying that the heavy loss shouldn’t “define our season”.
“Listen, it’s happened and the only thing we can do is learn from it and move on.” Rashford said.
“So, I’m happy and grateful that we have another game quickly because we have an opportunity to take a step forward from the last game and put it behind us.”
“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.
“So, yeah, we just press the reset button, go back to the basics and give 100 per cent again to try and win the game on Thursday.”
“I love playing with Bruno” says Rashford
Rashford’s teammate Bruno Fernandes has come in for some particularly scathing criticism following Sunday’s defeat, though the pile-on has been unwarranted according to the 25-year-old Mancunian.
“I love playing with Bruno, as you can imagine,” Rashford said. “I think, for a forward like me, he’s a perfect player to play with.
“He’s been a good leader for us even when he’s not been captain, which is always a good sign.
“He’s helped other players become better leaders and the reality of it is we can’t be a well-organised team with just one leader being the captain.
“I don’t have anything negative to say about Bruno. Like the manager said, nobody’s perfect.
“Sometimes you want to win so bad you end up doing things that are a little bit out of character but, listen, I 100 per cent support Bruno and am behind him.”
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