Paul Scholes ‘feels sorry’ for one Manchester United star after defeat vs Liverpool

Erik ten Hag’s experiment to slot in Bruno Fernandes on the left flank backfired massively against Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp’s men ran rampant at Anfield on Sunday, forcing David de Gea to pick the ball from the net seven times.

There’s no doubt the Red Devils threw in the towel following two quick goals from Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez after the break. Their attitude further invited more fury from Liverpool players backed by the bouncing home crowd.

Regardless, they were unlikely to get away with their creative – for the lack of a better word – starting XI in yet another big game.

The Dutch coach’s decision to shift Fernandes out wide not only minimised United’s threat from the middle, but also left his side exposed out of possession. The Portuguese midfielder looked clueless, as well as knackered, in his attempts to press from an unfamiliar position.

Paul Scholes, instead of lambasting the player like most fans and pundits alike after the 7-0 result, chose to sympathise with the United captain.

He said: “I actually feel sorry for him when he’s played. He’s been pushed out to many positions to do a job for the team, he was on the left, he’s been on the right, he’s played through the middle, he has been a little bit all over the place.”

Results dictate reactions. If United had managed to take all three points, Ten Hag’s decision to use Fernandes in a new position would’ve been hailed. But at the same time, it’s reasonable to expect a more settled role for arguably the club’s most important player.