Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick informed his players of the tactics for their game against Liverpool just one day before, according to a report.
The Red Devils were heavily defeated 4-0 on Tuesday evening, with goals from Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane, as well as a brace from Mohamed Salah, sealing a comfortable victory for United's rivals.
The humiliation at Anfield also followed the 5-0 loss in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford back in October, with the latest defeat leaving United down in sixth place in the race for the top four.
Rangnick surprised many by opting for a five-man defence on Tuesday, although The Telegraph are reporting that the 63-year-old only told his players of this plan just 24 hours prior to the game.
As a result, the report suggests that United's players had little time to practise the new shape and game plan ahead of the trip to Merseyside.
However, after a lacklustre first-half display in which the visitors found themselves 2-0 behind by half time, Rangnick opted to switch back to their familiar four-man back line for the second half, with Jadon Sancho replacing Phil Jones at the break.
Following the defeat, the Red Devils are now three points behind Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in their quest to qualify for next season's Champions League, ahead of their trip to the Emirates Stadium to face the former on Saturday.
Matthew Tranter
