Man Utd humiliation at Anfield vs Liverpool brings familiar issue to the fore

Manchester United were dealt a reality check by Liverpool as they were hammered on the road with their away form against the top sides highlighting a regular flaw

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Erik ten Hag reacts to humiliating defeat to Liverpool

Manchester United’s hammering at Anfield has been described as “out of character” by Gary Neville – but the evidence suggests it is part of their make-up.

The Red Devils have earned huge plaudits in recent months and that peaked when they won the Carabao Cup last weekend – their first trophy for six years. However they were dealt a harsh reality check by arch rivals Liverpool, who it seven past them on Sunday.

It is their heaviest ever defeat and means any faint hopes they had of challenging for the title are all but over. It also exposed United’s flaws when it comes to playing their nearest rivals on the road, with their away record leaving a lot to be desired.

Before the trip to Anfield Erik ten Hag had said: “We know we can expect a strong opposition, hostile ambience and we are really looking forward to performing there.” They did anything but perform as defensively they came unstuck, once more this term.

A series of bad results

Neville may well be willing to park the Anfield humiliation as something that happens – citing the week in 1996 in which his United team lost two on the bounce, conceding 11 in the process. The numbers though tell are a very different story when you consider their away form against the top 12 sides in the league.

Ten Hag’s outfit have played against eight of them so far – winning once, drawing twice and losing on five occasions. They’re also yet to lose without conceding at least three.

Man Utd have continued to struggle on the road against the top sides this term (

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Getty Images)

Brentford were the first team to take advantage of their apparent away day issue, winning 4-0 on the second weekend of the season. Weeks later, just as United seemed to be getting back on track, Manchester City scored six in a victory at the Etihad with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both scoring hat-tricks.

Aston Villa secured something of a surprise victory back in November, winning 3-1 in the Midlands. United performed well in a loss at Arsenal back in January, but again conceded three as they were undone by a late Eddie Nketiah strike at the Emirates.

Liverpool have become the latest side to prosper at the expense of United’s away form, winning 7-0. Six of their goals came in the second-half as the likes of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino added insult to injury.

The first signs of their away day issues came at Brentford (

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AFP via Getty Images)

The only away days success against one of the better sides in the Premier League was a last gasp success at Fulham, which came thanks to a stoppage time winner from Alejandro Garnacho. They also needed a stoppage time goal to secure a point at Chelsea back in November. Since the World Cup they’ve been denied by Crystal Palace, who got a late goal of their own to salvage a draw.

It all makes for rather grim reading if you’re involved with those on the red half of Manchester. From the eight away games played against teams in the top 12, United have taken a measly five points from 24 available.

Ten Hag commented on their second-half capitulation and said: “The second half was unprofessional. It can’t happen and we have to talk about it. I do think we played decent in the first half but the second half was not us. Not our standards. We didn’t play as a team.”