Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney described his side’s 3-0 defeat to fierce rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford as one of the worst days of his career.
Two Steven Gerrard penalties and a late goal from Luis Suarez sealed a comfortable victory for the Merseyside club, condemning United to their ninth defeat this season.
Rooney, whose side now sit 14 points off a Champions League spot, said the defeat was hard to take.
“It’s one of the worst days I’ve ever had in football,” Rooney told MUTV.
“Nobody wants to lose, especially in this way, in your own stadium – it’s not nice.”
It was United’s fifth home defeat in the Premier League this season and leaves them languishing in seventh place meaning they face the possibility of missing out on any European football next year.
Liverpool dominated the game from start to finish winning a penalty after 40 minutes, courtesy of a Rafael hand-ball, who was lucky not to pick up a second booking for his misdemeanour.
Gerrard scored the spot-kick and netted his second in similar fashion just after the break when Phil Jones clumsily fouled Joe Allen in the area.
In truth, United never looked like scoring, managing just one shot on target in the entire game as Rooney and Robin Van Persie remained isolated up front.
Nemanja Vidic saw red after a second yellow for bringing down Daniel Sturridge in the box, but Gerrard failed to convert.
In truth it could have been worse for United as other penalty decisions went in their favour and a terrific save from David de Gea spared them from further humiliation.
It was another dismal day for manager David Moyes who has come under ever increasing pressure since his appointment at Old Trafford.
He will have a task to pick his players up for Wednesday’s crucial Champions League clash with Olympiakos as they go in to the tie trailing 2-0.
Despite this, Moyes remains optimistic that they can get the result they need if the fans get behind him and the team.
“If they give us that support on Wednesday night, it will give us a chance of getting through in the Champions League,” Moyes said.
“The players are well aware of what it means on Wednesday and what we have got to do.”
Main picture courtesy of Carl Recine via action images, with thanks
