Alejandro Garnacho is the latest Manchester United player to offer a public apology for the humiliating 7-0 defeat to Liverpool.
United's Premier League hammering at Anfield on Sunday was their joint-worst defeat ever, alongside losses by the same scoreline to Wolves in 1931, Aston Villa in 1930 and Blackburn Rovers in 1926.
That it came against their fiercest rivals made it even tougher to swallow for United fans, who had seen their side end a six-year trophy drought with EFL Cup glory a week before.
Following apologies from David de Gea and Luke Shaw, Garnacho – who was brought on after an hour with the Red Devils 3-0 down – has posted a message of his own on social media.
"We are so sorry," he said. "We will give you a reaction on Thursday, Reds."
United will be aiming for a swift response in that Europa League last-16 first-leg home tie with Real Betis on Thursday, with defeat to Liverpool snapping an 11-game unbeaten run.
The Red Devils are still in the hunt for a cup treble this season, but full-back Shaw accepts the performance at Anfield simply was not good enough.
"It was unacceptable. Embarrassing, to be honest," said Shaw, who has played in 32 of United's 42 matches under Erik ten Hag.
"On the pitch I felt embarrassed for us players, for the fans that were there supporting us, that were watching at home, to watch that second half.
"I can only apologise for that and us as players have to own it, we have to stand up and accept that it was nowhere near good enough.
"It was completely unacceptable and I'm sure they’re hurting, but us as players are hurting a lot.
"Our standards have clearly dropped since we've won [the EFL Cup] and in the last couple of games we haven't been our normal selves.
"We showed no personality, no mentality and for a big team to come here we need to be better."
United follow up the visit of LaLiga side Betis with a meeting against Southampton on their return to Premier League action on Sunday.
Aldershot move into play-off places with victory at 10-man Gateshead
Kwame Thomas headed Aldershot into the National League play-off places in a 1-0 win away to a Gateshead side who played almost half the match with a defender deputising in goal.
Gateshead had goalkeeper Nathan Harness sent off in the 47th minute for bringing down James Daly outside the box and, with no stopper on the bench, Louis Storey went between the posts for the rest of the night.
Storey made a good save to keep out Cian Harries’ free-kick in the 51st minute, but could do nothing as the visitors took the lead 10 minutes later.
Thomas got on the end of a looping cross from Josh Barrett to head in, and it proved enough for a win that puts them one point above FC Halifax, who host Oldham on Thursday.
Respect the process – Cesc Fabregas committed to long-term plan at striving Como
Cesc Fabregas says Italian club Como must remain committed to their long-term plan even if their progress is expedited by winning promotion to Serie A this season.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder is assistant manager at the lakeside club and, working under Welshman Osian Roberts, has guided them into the automatic promotion positions in Serie B.
They currently have a three-point lead over third-placed Venezia and if they do not falter in their final five games they will return to the top flight of Italian football for the first time since 2003.
The club have been declared bankrupt twice since then, but the 2019 takeover by Indonesian company Djarum Group heralded a new dawn.
They are owners with big ambitions and they sought out advice from people in the game, with Thierry Henry and Fabregas becoming minority shareholders, while former England international Dennis Wise has also acted in an advisory role.
Fabregas is currently earning his full coaching badges and his goals are aligned with the club’s.
Returning to the top tier of Italian football has always been the plan, with further ambitions of titles and European football in the coming years.
But Fabregas insists that will only happen if they “respect the process”.
“We are pushing, we have a clear vision of where we want to go, where we want to get, we know who we are,” he told the PA news agency.
“We know where we are at the moment and we need to respect the process, take the right steps.
“We are working well, people are very dedicated, the owners are investing well and smartly.
“We are all on the same page, evolving every single week to try and create this family, this union, let’s see where we are at the season.”
When Fabregas joined Como as a player in the summer of 2022, it could have been easy to think he was easing into retirement in an idyllic part of the world.
View this post on InstagramBut that would not be fitting with his work ethic and drive, which sees him one day wanting to be a manager in his own right.
“I agree that Como is beautiful but if I am being honest my life is work, home, work, home,” he said.
“Then when I am home I try to be with my family. Even if I was at the end of the world or in another place my life would not change that much.
“Como is beautiful, we appreciate it so much but my job and my life doesn’t change too much.”
Football rumours: Jadon Sancho open to Man Utd return if Erik ten Hag leaves
What the papers say
Jadon Sancho would be open to an attempt to relaunch his Manchester United career if manager Erik ten Hag leaves, The i reports.
Sancho returned to former club Borussia Dortmund on loan in January.
Liverpool are set to appoint David Woodfine as the assistant sporting director to work alongside Richard Hughes, with Woodfine returning to Anfield less than a year after leaving, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The Sun writes that Manchester United will open talks with 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo over a new contract.
Social media round-upPlayers to watch
Arthur Okonkwo: The Athletic reports that Wrexham want to turn the 22-year-old’s loan from Arsenal into a permanent deal.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin: Football Insider says Everton are keen to extend the 27-year-old striker’s contract, which is due to run out at the end of next season.
Federico Chiesa: Juventus will listen to offers for the Italian player, who has been linked with Liverpool and Newcastle, after disagreements between the 26-year-old forward and Massimiliano Allegri, reports Tuttosport.
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