Manchester United's players let everyone associated with the club down on Tuesday night when they were thumped 4-0 at the home of their most fierce rivals Liverpool - including Sir Alex Ferguson.
The iconic former Red Devils boss spent 26 years at the helm of arguably the biggest club in the world and made clear to his players that while defeats could be tolerated, lack of effort on and off the pitch is not. Ex-United striker Robin van Persie said as much while recalling what life was like under Ferguson.
Speaking while analysing a humiliating defeat at the hands of Istanbul Basaksehir last year, the Dutchman said: "In my time at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson said: 'I don't mind losing as long as my team is not running less than the opponent and I want to see commitment going forward and as well defensively'."
Not only were United resoundingly beaten by the Reds at Anfield on Tuesday night, but they were also comfortably outfought and outworked. Jurgen Klopp's men made sure the gulf in quality both in terms of technique and work ethic was on full display.
By the time the half-time whistle had blown, United were already being widely ridiculed for their feeble effort. They failed to lay a glove on the Reds and had not registered a single shot on goal inside the opening 45 minutes.
By the time the game had finished, United had mustered up a feeble two shots on target and never ever looked like troubling their long-time enemies. Arguably the most damning standout moment came in the form of Liverpool's second goal, Mohamed Salah's first.
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77 seconds of unbroken Reds possession were allowed to pass without United intervention, Liverpool players completing 25 passes in the build-up before the Egyptian doubled the host's advantage. Interim boss Ralf Rangnick could do little more than admit the huge gulf in quality after the game.
"It is embarrassing, it is disappointing, maybe even humiliating," conceded the former Lokomotiv Moscow sporting director. "We have to accept they are six years ahead of us now. When Jurgen Klopp came they changed the club and lifted not just the team but the club and city to a new level. That is what needs to happen with us in the next transfer windows."
Since that dismal display at Anfield, United have confirmed that Ajax boss Erik ten Hag will take over as manager on a permanent basis following the conclusion of this season. It is still expected that Rangnick will make the transition upstairs into a two-year consultancy role within the Old Trafford boardroom.
Ten Hag's to-do list will be a lengthy one, but he would do well to ensure all of his players adhere to Ferguson's core principle of making sure you never leave the pitch having been outworked by your opponents.
The Dutchman is expected to make plenty of signings during what could be a summer of huge upheaval for the club, with a number of players from the current crop expected to be ushered towards the exit.
