Jesse Lingard came on as an early substitute for Paul Pogba in Manchester United’s 4-0 thumping against Liverpool at Anfield.
Paul Pogba got the nod in Ralf Rangnick’s three-man midfield but limped off after ten minutes with United already 1-0 down.
Lingard came on but was utterly incapable of influencing the game as United were ripped apart throughout the night, despite a slightly brighter period after half-time.
He told the club website that he expected to start the game, but he played the majority of it and did not exactly play like Rangnick had made a mistake on that front.
“I’m always ready. Coming on, I knew my role, I knew my job straightaway and I wanted to do my best for the team. Every time I step on the pitch, every time I put a United shirt on, I want to give 110 per cent. Bring energy to the team, do the pressing,” he said.
“For me, I just want to play football. It was great to play against Norwich, I enjoyed it. I was getting into the rhythm of the game but obviously got brought off.
“For this game, I was expecting to start again but then Paul got injured and I came on early enough to play most of the game anyway. I’m always ready, I’m always confident to play. As I said, as soon as I step on the pitch, I give 110 per cent for the shirt.”
“It’s horrible for the fans [losing to Liverpool]. You can feel their pain when we’re on the pitch and you see the scoreline, 4-0, it’s really disappointing and we can only say sorry to the fans. I know they back us through thick and thin which we appreciate as players.”
Lingard had 26 touches in 81 minutes on the pitch, as per WhoScored, failing to get a shot off or make a dribble on a humbling night for the club.
The England midfielder mentioned pressing, giving 110 per cent and energy in his interview but those traits were sorely lacking in United’s overall performance.
He wasn’t included in United’s three worst players on the night when we wrote them up, but there was nobody in a United shirt who raised their level above the abject standards of the overall display.
Lingard looks set to leave in the summer anyway, just like the man he replaced – Pogba – and Rangnick’s anchorman last night, Nemanja Matic. It all just adds to the muddle and chaos at the club.
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