Donny van de Beek put forward fresh Man Utd case without even playing in Liverpool defeat

Liverpool's record 5-0 win at Man Utd: Solskjaer at 'rock bottom'

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Manchester United were comprehensively dispatched by Liverpool in an Old Trafford horror show on Sunday as Jurgen Klopp’s men racked-up five unanswered goals. The humiliating defeat leaves United seventh in the Premier League table and a staggering eight points behind leaders Chelsea.

United couldn’t have asked for a worse start in front of their home supporters as their defence went AWOL to allow Naby Keita to slot home from Mohamed Salah’s through ball after just five minutes.

Diogo Jota added Liverpool’s second with 13 minutes on the clock as he slid in to connect with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s delicious cross.

And then the match became the Salah show – a theme replicated countless times already this season.

The Egyptian was in tantalising form yet again for the Reds and this time he managed to bang in his first hat-trick of the season.

Salah swept home Liverpool’s third and fourth before the break and chipped the ball over David de Gea for the Reds’ fifth in the early stages of the second period.

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United’s defence was found wanting time and time again as the Liverpool frontline exposed it all afternoon.

And there will be serious questions asked of United’s midfield duo of Fred and Scott McTominay, who failed to provide adequate protection against their imperious opponents.

Sunday’s performance from the home midfield may have inadvertently played into the hands of Donny van de Beek, who has been out of favour with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Big things were expected of the 24-year-old this season but, incredibly, he has only been able to muster six minutes of Premier League football.

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Even when United led Leeds 5-1 on the opening day of the season, Solskjaer didn’t hand a cameo to Van de Beek.

And even when the game was out of sight against Klopp’s team, Van de Beek was overlooked again. The man just doesn’t get a look in.

But Solskjaer must be asking himself if it is time to give the Netherlands international an opportunity to show what he can do.

Solskjaer has persisted with his preferred midfield duo and it just isn’t paying dividends.

In Van de Beek, United have a player who is comfortable in possession, can protect the defence and get play moving with his excellent passing range.

The United boss should at least roll the dice and see if he is rewarded by the former Ajax man.

United shelled out a staggering £40million to sign the midfielder last year. He was a standout player for Ajax and he’s won 19 caps for his country.

It’s time for Solskjaer to swallow his pride and give the player a chance.

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