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“Move on”- 27-year-old Man United star defends Solskjaer following Liverpool hammering

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Manchester United picked up an emphatic victory against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Luke Shaw defends Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following Liverpool thrashing

Speaking to Stadium Astro after the game (h/t The Metro), Luke Shaw defended the tactics employed on the night by Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He went on to explain that while the tactics are clear, the team needed to do better against Liverpool.

The 27-year-old suffered a tumultuous outing against 2nd placed Liverpool and had to face the brunt of it. Mohamed Salah was rip-roaring on the right-wing, and the Englishman had no answers to the Egyptian’s trickery, speed or quick movement. 

The full-back was responsible for the first goal, while the last goal on the day was also possible due to his poor man-marking of Salah. This was one of the worst defeats the former Southampton man has been at the end of, and he acknowledged his poor performance after the game.

Luke Shaw defends Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following Liverpool thrashing
Luke Shaw had a horrid outing against Liverpool on Sunday. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

However, he was later asked about whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was to be blamed for this defeat. Shaw immediately responded in the negative and and defended his manager.

‘No, as I said, I think it’s ourselves we need to look at first and foremost in the mirror. Are we doing everything right and preparing right for the games ourselves? Of course, have the tactics and how the manager wants us to play. 

Shaw went on to futher add that United need to be more compact and structured on the field. Curusly enough he admits that the result was coming. If that is the case, it reflects poorly on our preparations and those liable must be held accountable.

‘But I think at times, we’re way too easy to play through against… We need to be more compact; we need to be better; we know that… I think also maybe we could say this result was coming. Today we need to reflect, and we have to move on from this because it hurts.’

Luke Shaw defends Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following Liverpool thrashing
Luke Shaw has defended Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from any criticism as he felt the tactics were clear but the team needed to work harder against Liverpool. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

While it is admirable to see the players tick by Solskjaer, the silence from the bench during the match was baffling. The United boss failed to show any tactical understanding of the mess and did little to influence proceedings on the field.

Ironically it was Jurgen Klopp who was cheering and instructng his players despite thier near flawless performance. The difference in both sides’ attention to detail was truly astounding.

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Thus, from the looks of it, the game-plan was clear but the players on the pitch failed to execute it the way their Norwegian boss would have wanted them to. However what stopped Solskjaer from changing a system that didnt work is unclear. Surely he has to be more proactive or at the very least,reactive.

When it comes to a dreadful performance like this, the entire pack must share the blame, as the Red Devils were nowhere near their true selves on Sunday.