Arsenal sent shockwaves through the Premier League with their 97th minute winner on Saturday, and sources have now shared how it impacted Manchester United.
What’s the story?
Well, Arsenal fans will be baffled by this claim.
The Athletic state that sources close to Manchester United have told them that Arsenal’s 97th minute winner against Bournemouth contributed to their humiliating 7-0 defeat at Anfield.
It is said that Manchester United players felt they had a chance of catching Arsenal in the Premier League title race if they managed to pick up three points against Liverpool.
However, their optimism was shattered by Nelson’s late goal, and the “emotional tumult” of seeing that strike hit the back of the net is believed to have contributed to the 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Jürgen Klopp’s men.
In our view, that has to be nonsense.
Manchester United were hardly in the title race even before the weekend’s round of fixtures as they sat 11 points behind Arsenal in third, with that gap now at 14 points.
Therefore, for some Manchester United players to blame their humiliation at Anfield on Nelson’s goal is nothing short of embarrassing, if what The Athletic are claiming is true.
Manchester United cannot blame 7-0 loss on Arsenal
Erik ten Hag has some of the best players in Europe in his side, such as Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro.
All of them, and many more, are experienced professionals, who should be able to focus on the task at hand regardless of what results their rivals pick up.
Therefore, sources close to Old Trafford making excuses about the 7-0 loss, and bringing Arsenal’s win into it, makes for embarrassing reading.
It might have been a more reasonable claim if the Red Devils were just a few points behind Arsenal, but the gap is much larger – as far as excuses go, this is right up there in terms of shamefulness.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
