Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has conceded that the players deserve to be blamed for the Europa League defeat to Liverpool, not Louis van Gaal.
The Dutchman was heavily criticised for the side’s lack of direction and spirit in the clash with their bitter rivals, as they head to Old Trafford in the second leg next week with a two-goal deficit.
However, Fellaini is adamant that the players need to stand up and take responsibility as ultimately they failed to match Liverpool’s intensity and fight which in turn saw the Merseysiders run out comfortable winners.
“We didn’t press well in the first half. I think the second half was much better and we had more possession of the ball,” Fellaini told British newspapers.
“But in the first half we didn’t show enough respect to the game plan of the manager. That’s why we conceded a lot of chances.
“The plan before the game was to press from the start. We didn’t do it well at all first half so we changed in the second half and it was better.”