Man Utd have ‘bigger concerns’ after seven-goal demolition at Liverpool

Former England star Karen Carney has insisted Manchester United can not afford to simply write-off their devastating defeat at the hands of arch rivals Liverpool.

Erik ten Hag’s side were in confident mood ahead of their trip to Anfield after securing the first major silverware of the Dutchman’s reign with a Carabao Cup Final win against Manchester United just seven days earlier.

There was little between the two sides until the hosts made a breakthrough when former United transfer target Cody Gakpo opened the scoring just before half-time. The Dutch international would go on to double his tally just after half-time as he and fellow forwards Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah all scored twice.

A day to forget for the Red Devils was rounded by Roberto Firmino as the Brazilian striker came off the bench to grab his side’s seventh goal of the day with just under two minutes left on the clock.

The result has understandably provoked heated debate across the media with a back-and-forth between Red Devils legend Gary Neville and former Liverpool duo Graeme Souness and Jamie Carragher receiving plenty of attention on Sunday night.

The analysis continued on Sky Sports Monday Night Football and former England winger Carney insisting United had ‘bigger concerns’ to take care of, rather than just moving on from their poorest performance of the season.

She said: “You can’t just write it off, it’s against Liverpool, your rival, it has to be in the forefront of your mind, that has to hurt.

“But I think with the form they’ve previously been on, winning the trophy as well, you could say it is (a write-off), but I think there’s bigger concerns. They’ve conceded 16 goals against Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, there’s too many.

“For me, what wins you championships is clean sheets. Goals win you games, but clean sheets win you championships. They are conceding far too many for me and Manchester United, fans and the club, will want to win the Premier League and that’s far too many for me.”