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."
St. Louis City v LA Galaxy: Reus sets sights on silverware after dream start
Marco Reus is desperate to bring silverware to the LA Galaxy after making a flying start to his time in MLS, with St. Louis City the destination for his first road game on Sunday.
Reus registered a goal and an assist on debut last week as the Galaxy beat Atlanta United 2-0, maintaining their grip on top spot in the Western Conference.
The Galaxy are five points clear of local rivals Los Angeles FC at the top of the standings ahead of Sunday's trip to St. Louis, who are 13th and 10 points adrift of the playoff picture.
Reus' arrival in Los Angeles has caused plenty of fanfare, but he is focused solely on the team's collective aims.
"It's not about me, it's about the team," he said. "We want to be champions. So we take it game by game.
"Besides the traffic, it's really amazing. The people are so friendly. The weather, it's really nice. When you wake up in the morning and the sun is shining, you start the day differently.
"So I'm really, really happy every morning I come into the dressing room. I'm just happy and excited."
St. Louis played out a thrilling 4-4 draw with the Portland Timbers last week, twice throwing away a two-goal lead to leave interim coach John Hackworth bewildered.
"Really don't know what to say," Hackworth said. "It's hard to imagine coming to a place like this and scoring four goals, being up, and then just losing one-versus-one defensive battles.
"Sometimes, the number of goals you give up, or the number of goals you score, can hide a lot of the transition moments.
"An easy way to prevent some of these defensive miscues from happening is to just be better with the ball."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
St. Louis City – Eduard Lowen
Lowen scored his fourth goal of the MLS season last time out, converting from the penalty spot as St. Louis drew 4-4 with the Timbers.
Only Joao Klauss, with five goals, has outscored him for St. Louis this term.
LA Galaxy – Marco Reus
Reus is one of 20 players in MLS history to record a goal and an assist on his regular-season debut.
He is also the fifth Galaxy player to do so, after Steven Gerrard, Andreas Herzog, Giovani dos Santos and Sasha Victorine. No other team have had more than two players achieve the feat.
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
The Galaxy have won 10 of their last 13 regular-season matches, the first time they have done so in a single season since 2011. LA have not recorded 11 wins in a span of 14 matches within a single regular season in the post-shootout era (since 2000).
It would be no surprise to see the points shared in this one, though. All three meetings between St. Louis and the Galaxy have ended level, all with different scorelines (1-1, 2-2, 3-3).
St. Louis have only won one of the last six matches in which they have held the lead in regular-season play dating back to the beginning of June (four draws, one defeat).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
St. Louis City – 35.8%
LA Galaxy – 38.1%
Draw – 26.1%
Raphinha hails Barcelona after statement win over Valladolid
Barcelona forward Raphinha believes the team have laid down a statement of their intent by starting the season with four straight wins in LaLiga.
Raphinha scored the first hat-trick of his career and also delivered two assists on Saturday, as Barca crushed Real Valladolid 7-0 at Camp Nou.
Hansi Flick's side already possess a four-point cushion at the top of the table after also recording victories over Valencia, Athletic Bilbao and Rayo Vallecano.
Raphinha believes their results have demonstrated the club got things right in the transfer market, telling Movistar: "Today's game has shown that there is no need for anyone else to come. We are very happy because of that.
"We are in very good shape. The team is working hard. Today's result shows what we are working for.
"We saw that the coach was on the sidelines asking for more goals and that's our mentality.
"We are hungry and want to score as many goals as we can. When we are dominant like we have been, the best way to respect our rivals is not taking the foot off the gas."
Raphinha was one of the players who faced criticism during Barca's trophyless 2023-24 campaign and was rumoured to be on his way out ahead of the new season.
The Blaugrana again battled financial restrictions throughout the window, allowing Ilkay Gundogan to leave in order to secure the registration of new arrival Dani Olmo.
With his future now certain, Raphinha is keen to nail down a starting spot and contribute on a regular basis.
"I don't know if today's was my best game, but it's certainly among my best. I will try to play even better and as much as I can," the Brazilian said.
"I'm very happy to be able to help the team. I feel good. I knew that this season would be very important for me. I'm looking for my best version to help my team-mates and be more confident."
Lazio 2-2 Milan: Leao salvages draw but Rossoneri still winless
Rafael Leao came off the bench to earn Milan a 2-2 draw with Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, but Paulo Fonseca's side are still without a Serie A win this season.
Milan were in front at the break through Strahinja Pavlovic's eighth-minute goal, the Serbian rising highest to power home a header from Christian Pulisic's corner.
However, Lazio hit back in the second half with Valentin Castellanos and Boulaye Dia scoring in quick succession.
Nuno Tavares' first-time ball into the centre was met by the unmarked Castellanos to level in the 62nd minute, then Dia tapped another Tavares cutback home to put the Biancocelesti ahead four minutes later.
Fonseca reacted by sending on four substitutes, and those changes had a swift impact as three of them combined for the leveller.
Theo Hernandez – who joined Leao in being dropped from the start – picked out Tammy Abraham, and his lay-off allowed Leao to escape Tavares to fire past Ivan Provedel.
The game was preceded by an emotional tribute to the man who led Lazio to their last league title, Sven-Goran Eriksson, who died at the age of 76 on Monday.
A Lazio shirt bearing the Swede's name was displayed on the home bench, while a banner held up by the home fans read: "You brought us to the top of the world... Have a good trip Mr. Sven."
Data Debrief: Milan's slow start continues
New Milan boss Fonseca is already under pressure after overseeing a return of two points from his first three league games at the helm.
It is the first time the Rossoneri have drawn two of their opening three matches in a Serie A season since 2011-12, when they also drew two and lost one,
They went on to finish second that season, just four points adrift of champions Juventus. If a title challenge is to take place this term, rapid improvements are needed.
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