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Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister (centre) challenges for the ball with Casemiro. Alamy Stock Photo

Arne Slot sets the bar for life after Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool cruise at Old Trafford

Casemiro’s first-half horror show gives Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag more cause for concern.

CASEMIRO LOOKED IN front and then behind in the split second before he received the pass.

Like all good midfielders he had the full picture in his head.

But the problem was his legs.

He took a touch to open up his body, and the pitch, and took the ball forward. It just wasn’t with any kind of purpose.

He was going nowhere fast.

For Liverpool’s first goal, the Manchester United midfielder had rushed a needless first-time pass under no pressure and provided the away side with a dangerous counter attack that was duly punished with Luis Diaz scoring a back-post header on 35 minutes.

This time, the Brazilian tried to be positive with a touch to take United on the attack and feed Marcus Rashford wide on the left.

Before he knew it, though, Diaz was over his shoulder and prodded the ball away from him to the feet of Alexis MacAllister.

Casemiro was sent sprawling on the floor. As he began his descent it seemed as though he had already started to look up at referee Anthony Taylor.

Of course he wanted the foul but it felt like something more.

Maybe it was pity, maybe it was mercy.

There was none shown.

Certainly not by Liverpool.

Casemiro lay prone for a second or two and by the time he was up from his knees Liverpool were in the box. He began to jog back as Mo Salah fed an inviting pass between centre backs Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt from the right.

And who was there to meet the pass? Diaz. Casemiro had a perfect view 25 yards away as the Colombian cushioned a delicate finish low to Andre Onana’s left.

There were three minutes to half-time and United made it in with the game not beyond them – but it was when Mo Salah scored the third early after the interval.

Casemiro’s race was run by that point.

He was replaced by Toby Collyer at the break, the club’s latest academy graduate tasked with helping to stem the tide of Liverpool’s dominance.

Casemiro was afforded a sorry kind of dignity as he could disappear in the shadows, away from view.

The end could have come last May when he was named on the bench for the FA Cup final only to then report an injury that forced him to be withdrawn from the squad altogether.

He is 32 years of age (the same as Salah but you’d never guess) and the expectation among some at Old Trafford this summer was that he would depart for Saudi Arabia. Whatever the reason for why that move didn’t materialise, United could be stuck with him until at least the end of the 2025/26 season.

There is even an option for an additional year.

United signed another South American to replace him this week, Uruguayan Manuel Ugarte arriving from PSG but not in time to start.

liverpool-manager-arne-slot-watches-on-during-the-premier-league-match-at-old-trafford-manchester-picture-date-sunday-september-1-2024 Arne Slot watches on from the sidelines. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

He won’t solve all of United’s midfield problems but should at least provide help.

United need all they can get and it’s only 1 September.

Again the questions will centre around whether Erik ten Hag is actually capable of knowing how to inspire, and sustain, any kind of progress.

There were boos and jeers from the Old Trafford crowd after Salah scored the third goal of the game on 56 minutes.

When Marcus Rashford was presented with an opportunity to take on Ibrahima Konaté down the left a few moments later he instead decided to turn back and play it safe.

More jeers.

Liverpool fans could afford to mock from the hour mark and began a chorus of Olés as Onana, Martinez and De Ligt played the ball around their own 18-yard box.

When Alejandro Garnacho was taken off around the 75 minute mark there were more boos.

The Sky Sports cameras flashed to Alex Ferguson in the stand as tends to be the case whenever United find themselves in the midst of such a humbling.

Had Dominik Szoboszlai just shot from eight yards out with the goal gaping it would have been 0-4. Instead he chose to be smart and tried to chop back. The chance was gone but the result was never in danger.

Joshua Zirkzee did force Alisson into two decent saves – one a shot from distance the other a close range header with not enough power – but Liverpool had it won long before then.

As brittle as United were, Liverpool were brilliant. Their new manager, Arne Slot, has shown that life post Jurgen Klopp doesn’t have to begin with confusion or concern.

Slot has set the bar with three wins from three and a commanding victory at Old Trafford.

They will relish what is to come.

Written by David Sneyd and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.

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    Mute Dave c
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:33 PM

    Mo Salah is world class. Does not get the credit he deserves.

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    Mute Mick Duvanny
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 7:06 AM

    @Dave c: He’s on about 18m a year. I think his talent is well recognised already

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    Mute NICE GUY
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 12:48 PM

    @Dave c: Gets plenty

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    Mute James Rowan
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:46 PM

    Easy win for Liverpool against a mid table to lower table team. Erik’s at the wheel. Gary Neville who said Uniteds midfield is so much better than Liverpools a few weeks ago doesn’t look too happy. Bigger fish to fry and onwards and upwards for Arne. YNWA. Mo looking back to his best.

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    Mute paulie
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 9:22 AM

    @James Rowan: ynwa unless your name is sterling, Owen,karius among others.

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    Mute James Rowan
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 11:04 AM

    @paulie: what?

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    Mute NICE GUY
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 12:48 PM

    @James Rowan: haha

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    Mute Quinny
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:31 PM

    Casemiro will get all the blame, but Man Utd are dreadful from the goalkeeper to the striker….

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    Mute GE Zall
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    Sep 1st 2024, 8:20 PM

    @Quinny: United fans expectations must be lowered, there is too much presure on the club. There is only so much money Sir Jim can throw at the problems of Manchester United. Once a great team, but it will take 20 years of building for United to become a top 4 contender, Old Trafford will be expensive to redevelop.

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    Mute james rowan
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    Sep 1st 2024, 9:30 PM

    @Quinny: what striker,,,

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    Mute kevin rock
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:38 PM

    Another false dawn!
    Rashford can’t be getting starts anymore, it’s criminal and will cost Tan hag in the end.
    Casamero made 2 mistakes today and that can happen but either way his best days are well behind him.
    Pains me to say it but Tan hag won’t be round for much longer I don’t think.
    For me his team selections this season already have been wrong and he should know better.
    Anyway, it’s early in the season so im still hopefully for a top 8 finish again lol

    Well done Liverpool, played well in the second half and deserved the win.

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    Mute Ian Cryan
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:36 PM

    Was watching it an hour before I realised Rashford was playing. Just says it all

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    Mute patrick lanigan
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:30 PM

    God man utd are bad , rashford and casmairo are brutal,manager has to go hasn’t got a clue

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    Mute sean weir
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    Sep 1st 2024, 10:38 PM

    @patrick lanigan: who would take that job ?

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    Mute Argus Romsworth
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:33 PM

    The next United manager is going to have some amount of deadwood to clear out. De Ligt, Antony, Martinez, Rashford, Casemiro, Mainoo, Onana, Maguire, Zirkzee, Mazraoui, Eriksen, Shaw, Mount, Hojilund etc. all have to go

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    Mute Colin Howard
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:55 PM

    @Argus Romsworth: 3 of those players have played 3 matches for Utd and you want rid of them already?? Catch a grip!

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    Mute Argus Romsworth
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:57 PM

    @Colin Howard: typical United fan, lol

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    Mute Colin Howard
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    Sep 1st 2024, 7:08 PM

    @Argus Romsworth: I’m not a Utd fan actually, but anyone calling for a player to be shipped out after 3 matches is talking out of their hat!!

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    Mute Argus Romsworth
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    Sep 1st 2024, 7:26 PM

    @Colin Howard: who are you going to blame now Colin? Sir Jim? Lol

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    Mute If you're
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 3:44 AM

    @Argus Romsworth: Even their new up front lad was poor.

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    Mute NICE GUY
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 12:50 PM

    @Argus Romsworth: mainoo is good ye utd fans are embaressing

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    Mute Alan Kennedy
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:40 PM

    Eric Ten Fags is doing a great job!

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    Mute James T.Kirk
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    Sep 1st 2024, 8:08 PM

    @Alan Kennedy: Eric John Player Blue.

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    Mute NICE GUY
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 12:47 PM

    @Alan Kennedy: lol

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    Mute Jason Higgins
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:44 PM

    Erics at the wheel!

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    Mute Basildon Joe
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:37 PM

    Looks like United got the wrong dutchman to manage. Oh my days what an embarrassment.

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    Mute John Kenny
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:59 PM

    Championship calling utd ha ha

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    Mute Mick Hanna
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:44 PM

    Roy Keane will be delighted! Haha haha haha haha!

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    Mute Quinny
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    Sep 1st 2024, 7:32 PM

    It’s a vicious circle, Ten Hag will become under pressure, they’ll get a result against a decent team and they’ll be, all of a sudden …” Back …” until the next horror show !!

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    Mute Willie Marty
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    Sep 1st 2024, 7:01 PM

    Man U outclassed Title between City and Pool.

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    Mute Shane Dunne
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    Sep 1st 2024, 10:16 PM

    @Willie Marty: you’re in fairy land if you think Liverpool can win the league. There’s a chasm between the top two and the rest. That will show over the season. A win against a poor United team doesn’t show anything for Liverpool.

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    Mute James Leahy
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    Sep 1st 2024, 10:49 PM

    @Shane Dunne: there is a chasm between the top two and the rest allright but not between the top two.

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    Mute NICE GUY
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 12:52 PM

    @Shane Dunne: liverpool can and utd cant deal with it

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    Mute GE Zall
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    Sep 1st 2024, 8:15 PM

    Lord Radcliffe must be regretting being apart of the new United project, but he still wants UK taxpayers to pay to fix up Old Trafford as it falls apart.

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    Mute orb7eckn
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    Sep 1st 2024, 8:25 PM

    @GE Zall: why shouldn’t they, biggest club in the world

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    Mute GE Zall
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    Sep 1st 2024, 9:26 PM

    @orb7eckn: They were pal, once.

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    Mute Niall English
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    Sep 1st 2024, 10:14 PM

    @orb7eckn: no they’re not.

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    Mute Seamus Enright
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 8:29 AM

    @orb7eckn: They’re not even the biggest team in Manchester.

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    Mute GE Zall
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:49 PM

    Man United are truly terrible, pathetic performance. Billionare Jim spent €240 million this season, and they still look like a below average team. Lol at United fans, No Champions League place this year again !!

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    Mute Tim & Emer Brennan
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    Sep 1st 2024, 7:36 PM

    One Dutch man less talk better results the other a complete bluffer

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    Mute Buster Lawless
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:30 PM

    Embarrassing from United

    Can’t see Erik V T making it through to end of season, maybe not even
    end of season

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    Mute Paddy Ryan
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:49 PM

    @Buster Lawless: he won’t make the end of next week.

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    Mute Buster Lawless
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    Sep 1st 2024, 6:52 PM

    @Paddy Ryan: surely he’ll see out 2024????? But I wouldn’t wager on it

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    Mute Niall English
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    Sep 1st 2024, 10:11 PM

    bring back solskjaer

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    Mute Dan The Man
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    Sep 1st 2024, 7:25 PM

    Larry won’t be in any rush to check the aul ceefax tonight lol #thevan

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    Mute damien leen
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 6:33 AM

    EASY…EASY…EASY!

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    Mute Diarmuid Concannon
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 8:27 AM

    @damien leen: it is for you, from a bar stool.

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    Mute damien leen
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 2:10 PM

    @Diarmuid Concannon: it was actually…where did u watch the game…hiding under the covers in your mom’s house…L0ser!

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    Mute Louis Jacob
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    Sep 1st 2024, 7:23 PM

    Ridiculous pointing out any one player. The team as a whole is seems completely bereft of inspiration. Only one man responsible for that.

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    Mute orb7eckn
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    Sep 1st 2024, 7:47 PM

    Referee was an absolute disgrace today, how he gets United games is beyond me. Gave the rats everything. United didn’t get one break from him. When are people going to see it’s a conspiracy to get Liverpool to win the league again, definitely a love in with Liverpool. Slot must have something in the owners of sky cos they are forever interviewing him. He looks awful weird

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    Mute James Leahy
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    Sep 1st 2024, 8:00 PM

    @orb7eckn: Joe they were totally outclassed .Just accept the raw unavoidable truth.

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    Mute M To The B
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    Sep 1st 2024, 8:09 PM

    @orb7eckn: ha! The Manc ref favoured United and they still couldn’t get close to the mighty reds

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    Mute GE Zall
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    Sep 1st 2024, 8:11 PM

    @orb7eckn: Pool were miles better, It will take decades for United to sort out what an embarrassing joke they have become

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    Mute Ken Jordan
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    Sep 1st 2024, 8:18 PM

    @orb7eckn: as a Utd fan of almost 50 years, I have to say you are talking through your rear end! Utd were out-thought, out-fought and out played in all areas. They were a shambles and the referee had nothing to do with the result which could have been another 5-0!

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    Mute orb7eckn
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    Sep 1st 2024, 8:20 PM

    @Ken Jordan: You’re no United fan

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    Mute Michael o connor
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    Sep 1st 2024, 8:41 PM

    @orb7eckn: 2/10 poor troll is poor.

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    Mute Ken Jordan
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    Sep 1st 2024, 8:48 PM

    @orb7eckn: and you’re no football fan!

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    Mute John Molloy
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    Sep 1st 2024, 9:29 PM

    @orb7eckn: ‘he looks awful weird’ ? Bit like how Man Utd play football…bit weird and fairly awful…

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    Mute GE Zall
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    Sep 1st 2024, 9:29 PM

    @orb7eckn: Ken Jordan is right, United were pathetic, will take years for United to rebuild, not much you can do Joe, just accept it.

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    Mute NICE GUY
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 12:53 PM

    @orb7eckn: aint he from manchester and a utd fan

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    Mute NICE GUY
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 12:54 PM

    @orb7eckn: stunning rats

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    Mute NICE GUY
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 12:55 PM

    @Ken Jordan: typical utd fan

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    Mute Basildon Joe
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    Sep 1st 2024, 7:04 PM

    West ham will smash both of these

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    Mute orb7eckn
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    Sep 1st 2024, 8:19 PM

    @Basildon Joe: Them shams couldn’t smash their way out of a brothel

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    Mute Peter Connaughton
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    Sep 1st 2024, 11:42 PM

    @Basildon Joe: They had a good go at bashing a ball boy’s head in last week.

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    Mute NICE GUY
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 12:56 PM

    @Basildon Joe: bubble allready burst

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    Mute Tezmond McVicar
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 9:53 AM

    Ten Hag is in the process of sacking himself. Something very sinister going on when Rashford plays every game. Casimero is finished. Fernandez is average. Onana is shockingly awful in goal. The list goes on….

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    Mute paulie
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 9:24 AM

    Manchester United are miles behind Liverpool who are in turn miles behind Manchester City.

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    Mute NICE GUY
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 12:57 PM

    @paulie: deluded

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    Mute Paul O Connor
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 9:43 AM

    United are the FFG of soccer. Lash out money left right and centre with no results

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    Mute NICE GUY
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 12:52 PM

    @Paul O Connor: Bit like chelsea

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    Mute Padraig O'Brien
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 2:17 PM

    Would it be fair to describe the current Liverpool team as a Slot machine?

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    Mute damien leen
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    Sep 2nd 2024, 6:34 PM

    So what’s the excuse now Utd fabs for being rubbish…no more Glazers to blame.. Ten Hag has spent over half a BILLION! Take your time…I’m in no rush.

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