‘He needs to leave my Club with immediate effect I don’t want to See him in Old Trafford Sir Jim Ratcliffe has Sack Erik Ten Hag this morning after a shocking defeat to Liverpool.

At Old Trafford, Manchester United lost 3-0 to Liverpool while Erik ten Hag’s pressure grew as the season’s start proved underwhelming.

Ten Hag is already under fire; United has lost two of their first three Premier League games as they enter the September international break and had just barely clung onto his position this summer.

Luis Diaz’s first-half double helped Liverpool to take control; Mohamed Salah added a third after the interval to guarantee a comfortable victory over a very dismal United.

Casemiro was responsible for both of Diaz’s objectives; he was substituted at half-time by Toby Collyer; his involvement in the squad under more examination following Manuel Ugarte’s signing.

Ratcliffe’s refutation

Casemiro was revealed on the field before kick-off on the evening United defeated Liverpool in the third game of Ten Hag’s first season. A week or so over two years later, the Brazilian was waiting in the dressing room as his substitute had the same procedure.

The Stretford’s End homage to Diego Forlan used to say, Manuel Ugarte’s unveiling had Old Trafford in the mood and they would have hated seeing their new Uruguayan on a day when they intended to make the Scousers weep. Sadly, any tears dropped would have been for Casemiro’s career as a top-level football player to come to an end. The Saudi Pro League’s transfer market ends on Monday, but the Brazilian hardly seems like a steal on £300,000-a-week.

Although he survived the first two Premier League games of the season, he did witness his pocket taken against Brighton. He was mercilessly exposed against Liverpool in a half lasting fifty minutes. For Casemiro, a five-time Champions League winner whose game has slumped at a startling pace, that was 49 too long.

He turned over the ball for Diaz’s first goal, and he was pickpocketed once more for the second. His death was unfortunate; he could not cover the ground enough to offset a midfield absent once more and basically seemed to be done at this level. That he was replaced with a 20-year-old with barely 30 minutes of senior football experience was revealing.

United is ready to challenge Southampton and now hopes Ugarte gets some playing time with Uruguay over the international break. Right now, it is difficult to accept starting Casemiro once more in a holding midfield capacity.

Although Sir Jim Ratcliffe was already doubting the merits of that type of spending on a player in his 30s as he went over the books before of his investment, his outstanding debut season celebrated the £60 million agreement he signed from Real Madrid. The vindication would have scarcely been worth it as he sat on Sunday afternoon in the directors’ box.

Influence of Zirkzee

Joshua Zirkzee scored off the bench against Fulham to start his United career perfectly, but this served as a reminder that he is still a player with great raw talent after progressing to the starting XI against Liverpool.

Although Zirkzee’s work rate inspired Old Trafford and Alisson was pushed into a few second-half saves, there were also times when he handed the ball away, usually via an approach predicated on an incorrect choice. He will become better for afternoons like these, although United may do with some more offensive clarity. Part of this game came down to ruthlessness in the penalty area, and United was sorely deficient there.

Although Zirkzee’s game is different from Rasmus Hojlund’s, his professional situation is comparable. He put comparable figures at Bologna to Hojlund at Atalanta. Though still acquiring top-level experience, he is a player with aptitude and promise. Hojlund most certainly came on during his first season at Manchester when fit. United will hope Zirkzee experiences a comparable learning curve.

Mount’s sway

Ten Hag said simply when asked before the game who would press in Mason Mount’s absence. Given the mandated alteration saw Zirkzee come in for Mount, “Bruno and Josh,” was the clear rebuttal.

Nevertheless, the urgency was nothing compared to what it had been against Fulham and Brighton, whether intentional or not. Zirkzee and Bruno Fernandes would sit off limiting passing angles so the defenders may have the ball. That is a mistake when Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk have two exceptional ball passers in your back four.