Revealed: The WhatsApp messages Man Utd's players were sending about Arsenal before Liverpool humiliation

Manchester United players were reportedly sending Whatsapp messages to one another about chasing down Premier League leaders Arsenal, before being demolished 7-0 by Liverpool.

On Sunday the Merseyside club scored six second-half goals to subject United to their heaviest defeat since Boxing Day 1931.

It was a bruising defeat, that came just seven days after Erik ten Hag’s side ended a six-year wait for a trophy, beating Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

Indeed, United had been on an 11-game unbeaten run, which included a Europa League victory against Barcelona over two legs and progression to the FA Cup quarter-final.

And while the club may still be chasing silverware on the European and domestic cup stage, they are now unlikely to win the Premier League, with Ten Hag’s men some 14 points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

United's Whatsapp group revealed

According to the Mail Online, there had been a growing feeling among United players that the Premier League title was a tangible target for this season.

The publication claimed that the players even spoke about the prospect of catching table toppers Arsenal in their WhatsApp group.

However, the defeat on Merseyside all but kills their slender hopes of challenging for the title, and helped expose the team's flaws.

Indeed, away from home Ten Hag's side have struggled to compete against their rivals, conceding three or more at Arsenal, Manchester City and now Liverpool.

Nevertheless, former United captain, Gary Neville maintained that the humiliation was a freak result and that the Old Trafford club have turned a corner this term.

Speaking to Sky Sports Neville said: "Look, since Erik ten Hag got a grip of them two or three months ago and Ronaldo left, the players have been tight, they’ve been spirited.

"They’ve fought every game, every single week Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday, Sunday, and they’ve been fighting every single match. I’ve seen it with my own eyes - that second half in the last two or three months since they sorted the dressing room out is a freak."