Marcus Rashford defended his Manchester United team-mates from accusations of downing tools in Sunday's annihilation by Liverpool, labelling such suggestions "nonsense".
United were beaten 7-0 during an astonishing Premier League game at Anfield, suffering the joint-heaviest defeat in their entire history.
It was the first time they had lost by seven goals since 1931, while it was Liverpool's biggest win over their bitter rivals, surpassing their 7-1 victory in October 1895.
The loss was a brutal reality check a week on from United winning the EFL Cup, but it was not just the scoreline that saw them attract stinging criticism.
Several United players had their commitment called into question by pundits due to their body language or attitude during a second half in which the visitors conceded six goals.
But Rashford snapped at the idea United threw in the towel.
"We didn't give up, that's nonsense," he told reporters ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash with Real Betis.
"We were disorganised, yes. Communication was bad, yes, that's why we conceded the goals, but it comes down to the fact that I believe everyone was trying to get back into the game that much, we came away from the team's principles in and out of possession.
"I mentioned after the game, I felt the forwards were trying to press just as the forward unit, we weren't connected to the midfield, and the same with the midfield and defence.
"We were trying to get a grip of the game when it was 2-0, 3-0, we were talking but I don't think we were in agreement about what to do.
"Listen, it's happened, and the only thing we can do is learn from it and move on. So, I'm happy and grateful we have another game so quickly because we have an opportunity to take a step forward and put it behind us."
It was then put to Rashford if the scoreline made a defeat to Liverpool even more harrowing, though the England forward suggested they would have felt just as bad had they only been beaten 1-0.
"Just losing against Liverpool is enough, it doesn't matter the score when you lose again them," he continued. "When you lose against them or any of the biggest rivals, it cuts deep and it's not nice, it's never a nice feeling.
"But I always remember how many games we have won against them, and they have the same feeling. It's football, it's why everyone loves the game so much.
"It's obviously disappointing, but we can't dwell and look back, we just need to be grateful the games are coming thick and fast - because of the principles we've had since start of the season, we're in a position where we're still fighting on all fronts and we still have a lot of games to play.
"When you have a game like that against Liverpool, you want to play as soon as possible because we want to put it right and hopefully tomorrow we can do that."
United manager Erik ten Hag was not kidding himself about the gravity of such a defeat, with the Dutchman seeming to appreciate just how damning the loss was.
Though he also insisted difficult situations like this can yield positive lessons.
"I think the players reflected well," he said, "but we also know when you go through a season setbacks will always be there.
"This was a huge setback, clear, but when you have a run of I think 23 games with one loss, and that was the second [loss].
"There were a lot of lessons in it that can help us for the future, and that's what [we have to do], take the positive out of it.
"How negative it is, that is that we were really below average, especially mentally. We have to take the lessons.
"We want to be a big team, we want to win trophies, so you have to act differently. After Sunday we got a big lesson, but we take that, move on, that's the way we treated it and now all the focus has to be on the next game."
Fenerbahce confirm Mourinho arrival
Jose Mourinho has been confirmed as the new head coach of Fenerbahce.
The Istanbul giants teased Mourinho's arrival in the wake of Ismail Kartal’s departure, and he has reportedly penned a two-year deal with the club.
Kartal took charge of Fenerbahce for three spells, finishing second behind Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig last season with 99 points in his final stint.
Reports said Mourinho had verbally agreed to take over on Friday, before the club confirmed his unveiling will take place on Sunday.
Mourinho has been out of work since leaving Roma in January after a two-and-a-half-year spell at the club in which he led them to their first European trophy, winning the Europa Conference League in 2022, while also taking them to the Europa League final the following year.
The 61-year-old had previously enjoyed stints at Porto, Chelsea over two spells, Inter, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Tottenham.
During that course, he won a combined eight domestic titles and two Champions Leagues, only failing to lift silverware while at Tottenham.
Mourinho is now tasked with ending Fenerbahce’s 10-year wait for a Super Lig title.
Lionesses goalkeeper Earps set to miss Euro 2025 qualifier against France with hip injury
England Women's goalkeeper Mary Earps will miss the decisive clash with France Women on Tuesday after withdrawing from Sarina Wiegman's squad with a hip injury.
Earps left St. James' Park with crutches after sustaining an injury just eight minutes into Friday's 2-1 defeat against France.
That marred what should have been a memorable occasion for Manchester United goalkeeper Earps, who made her 50th appearance for the Lionesses.
England confirmed Earps will be unavailable for Tuesday's Euro 2025 qualifier away to France, with Birmingham City's Lucy Thomas joining Wiegman's 23-player squad for the trip to Saint-Etienne.
"Not the way the big 50 was meant to go, but grateful and hugely proud to have reached 50 caps for England," Earps posted to Instagram on Sunday.
"Thank you for your lovely messages, gutted that I've picked up a minor hip injury which will sideline me for a couple of weeks.
"Not something I'm used to but nothing a little bit of rest and relaxation won't fix – right behind the girls for Tuesday!"
England are third in Group A3 as Wiegman's side chase qualification for next year's European Championship in Switzerland.
The Lionesses have four points and are behind second-placed Sweden on goal difference, with France five clear at the top of the group after three games.
Wiegman's team then host Ireland on July 12 and play Sweden away four days later in their final group game.
Gauff continues serene French Open progress with last-16 win over Cocciaretto
Coca Gauff showed no signs of slowing down after easing into the French Open quarter-finals for a fourth consecutive year with a straight-sets victory over Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
Iga Swiatek blitzed past Anastasia Potapova in just over 40 minutes earlier on Sunday, and a wind-swept Court Philippe-Chatrier watched a similar demolition shortly after.
Gauff dropped just five points on service in a dominant first set, brushing the world number 51 to one side in a routine 25-minute opener.
Italy's Cocciaretto responded by holding her serve in the second set but had no match for the athletic Gauff, who secured another break early on to go 2-1 up.
The world number three resumed her usual domination from there on, with Cocciaretto struggling to thwart Gauff's resounding power and eventually falling to a 6-1 6-2 defeat in just over an hour.
Gauff, the US Open champion in 2023, is still yet to lose a set in Paris this year as she prepares for a last-eight meeting with Clara Tauson or Ons Jabuer.
Data Debrief: In-form Gauff on song
Cocciaretto had defeated 2023 French Open semi-finalist Beatriz Haddad Maia and big-hitting 17th-seed Liudmila Samsonova to reach this stage, with the 23-year-old impressing in the French capital.
Yet Gauff, three years younger than the Italian, could not be stopped on Philliper-Chatrier. She now has 19 wins at Roland-Garros, two more than Chris Evert managed before turning 21.
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