Injury-Ravaged Manchester United

By Max Wise

Ball boys at Old Trafford were reportedly instructed to delay giving the ball back to Liverpool as Manchester United struggled to come to terms with their astonishing injury situation in their game against Liverpool.

Medical report, rather than a match report, would be the best way to describe the first half of Manchester United’s drab goalless draw with leaders Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.

By the end of the first half, the Red Devils had exhausted all three substitutions available to them due to injuries, whiles Liverpool also replaced Roberto Firmino for twisting his ankle.

First Ander Herrera suffered a hamstring injury and was replaced by Andreas Perreira in the 21st minute. Four minutes later Juan Mata suffered a similar discomfort and made way for Jesse Lingard, who in turn left the field two minutes to half time to be replaced by Alexis Sanchez.

It has now been revealed that United’s caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer relayed messages to the ball boys through the club’s staff to adopt a lethargic approach in giving Liverpool the ball as they tried to disrupt the visitors’ rhythm.

One fan said: "United coaching staff were walking round the pitch to speak to each ball boy, probably to tell them to slow down in giving the ball back to Liverpool as they were struggling at the time."

Liverpool’s point took them to the top of the Premier League table whiles Manchester United drop to fifth after Arsenal overtook them with victory over Southampton.