Jose Mourinho’s honeymoon period at Old Trafford is over.
After winning their opening three league fixtures under their new manager, Manchester United’s defeat at Watford on Sunday – their third loss in eight days – leaves them six points adrift of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
A miserable afternoon at Vicarage Road also means that Jose Mourinho’s side are a point behind their other great rivals, Liverpool.
Despite a surprise defeat at Burnley in their second match of the season, Jurgen Klopp’s side have impressed in their last two outings. Last weekend, they humbled Premier League champions Leicester City at a new-look Anfield, while on Friday night, they recorded a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Their victory over Antonio Conte’s men was enough to prompt the following tweet from United blogging site, The United Stand.
https://twitter.com/UnitedStandMUFC/status/776898647548190720?lang=en
It was no great surprise to see the tweet rack up plenty of retweets from Liverpool supporters in the immediate aftermath of United’s loss at Watford, but what *did* come as a surprise was this reply from Liverpool’s official twitter account.
.@UnitedStandMUFC Delete.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 18, 2016
Within minutes, former United defender Gary Neville had clocked it, and replied by saying that it should serve as motivation for the players of his old club.
Don't mind a tweet like that at all but IF that United changing room isn't wound up now it never will be!! https://t.co/CNWnHojqux
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) September 18, 2016
He also added that if he were a Liverpool player (imagine that for a second), he’d be having stern words with the person responsible for running the club’s Twitter account…
And if I was a Liverpool player id be hammering the Twitter guy!! https://t.co/CNWnHojqux
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) September 18, 2016
Later, he explained to Oliver Holt that the tweet was needless…
Official club account mocking greatest rivals 5 games into a season with a game coming up in a few weeks. Why do it? https://t.co/bVWfKzQTKM
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) September 18, 2016
Before adding that he’d be embarrassed if the tweet had been sent by his club.
Trust me I wouldn't! I'd be embarrassed! https://t.co/F2Ith5cyCf
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) September 18, 2016
United now have consecutive home games against Leicester City and Stoke City before they travel to Anfield on October 17.
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