Marcus Rashford rubbishes claims Manchester United players 'gave up' in Liverpool thrashing: 'That's nonsense!'
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Updated 08/03/2023 at 13:40 GMT
Following a historic 7-0 hammering at the hands of arch-rivals Livepool in their last Premier League match, Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has dismissed claims that the players gave up in the second half as they conceded six second-half goals at Anfield. "We were trying to get a grip of the game" he said. "I don't think we were in agreement on what to do".
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Marcus Rashford has hit out at the suggestion Manchester United players "gave up" during their 7-0 mauling at the hands of Liverpool.
United were left shell-shocked after conceding six second-half goals against their bitter rivals at Anfield to suffer their heaviest defeat since 1931.
Following widespread criticism of their performance and attitude on the day, Rashford has come to the defence of his team-mates, admitting they were poor but refusing to accept the effort was lacking.
"We didn't give up, that's nonsense,” he said in the pre-match press conference ahead of United’s Europa League last-16 first leg tie against Real Betis.
“We was unorganised - yes. Communication was bad - yes - that's why we conceded the goals.
"It comes down to the fact that I believe everyone was trying to get back into the game that much we came away from the team's principles, in and out of possession."
Providing more insight into how things went so catastrophically wrong, Rashford confessed the players were not “in agreement” over how to stem the relentless Liverpool tide.
"I felt like the forwards were trying to press just as a forward unit,” he added.
“We weren't connected with the midfield - and then the same with the midfield and the 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 in agreement on what to do.”
He went on: "Listen, it has happened. The only thing we can do is to learn from it and move on. I am happy and grateful that we have another game so quickly because we have an opportunity to take a step forward from the last game and put it behind us."
Despite the heavy loss, United, third in the Premier League, are still challenging on multiple fronts. The club lifted the Carabao Cup a week prior and are in the quarter-final of the FA Cup.
United host Betis at Old Trafford for the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie on Thursday ahead of the return match at the Benito Villamarin stadium seven days later.
"It's disappointing but we just have to be thankful that the games are coming thick and fast,” Rashford said. “Because of all the principles we have had from the beginning of the season, we are in a position where we are still fighting on all fronts and we still have a lot of games to play.
"When we have a game like we did against Liverpool we want to play again as soon as possible because we want to put it right. Tomorrow, hopefully we can do that."
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