Another Premier League weekend has passed us by, and it ended in defeat for Manchester United against Liverpool – but this time, it hurt much more.
A 3-0 loss at home to arch-rivals Liverpool was a stark reminder of how far we finished behind them last season.
The gaping 22-point margin suggests a chasm between the two sides, and this ideal was all but confirmed on Sunday evening as the Merseysiders strolled to an easy win.
But, unfortunately, the Old Trafford faithful have suffered one too many embarrassing defeats over the past three years at the hands of the enemy.
Simply put, this cannot continue for much longer.
Something needs to give
Ironically, United did okay last season in head-to-head clashes against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The Reds earned a hard-fought scoreless draw at Anfield just before Christmas – before taking more points off them in the reverse fixture in April – putting an undeniable dent in Klopp’s hopes of completing his tenure as manager with a title.
Nestled between those two league matches, Amad Diallo famously scored a last-gasp extra-time winner on St. Patrick’s Day to knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage in a thrilling encounter.
So, it hasn’t been all doom and gloom against the Scousers. However, when the 20-time English champions lose to their old nemesis – they tend to get rolled over in humiliating fashion.
It needs to change – and fast! Sunday has to be the final straw for the club, and they need to do everything they can on and off the pitch to get closer to the team from Merseyside – by hook or crook.
The two North West giants have faced each other 21 times in the league this past decade – stretching back to December 2014.
During this period, United won six times, losing seven and drawing eight – but the Red Devils have won just once in the last 13 meetings.
It is, of course, the manner of some of the defeats that have been particularly galling.
Furthermore, it is almost nine years since we tasted success at Anfield, with Wayne Rooney’s late goal back in January 2016 being the last time the Manchester side was victorious on enemy territory.
Football is cyclical
Football comes in cycles – and things can change pretty fast – once the right plans have been implemented and structures put in place.
It is without question that Manchester United needs to find the right formula to try to overtake their neighbours and get back near the top of English football again.
This won’t be achieved today or tomorrow.
But, in time, we have to hope that the club’s new best-in-class leadership team of Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox can work in tandem with Sir Jim Ratcliffe to get this sleeping giant back on track.
I am old enough (and lucky enough) to remember when United dominated English football under Sir Alex Ferguson in the 1990s and 2000s – winning title after title.
There were some big wins over our friends from down the M62 along the way, too, with one 4-0 thrashing in April 2003 standing out.
So, clubs go through these cycles where one rules over the other, but it cannot stay this way forever – and as Ten Hag himself once said – eras come to an end.
Let’s hope Sunday was the last time Liverpool had it so easy against Manchester United.
Do you think Erik ten Hag can get the Mancunian’s back challenging again?
Let us know in the comments or across our social channels.
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