Manchester United charged over player misconduct during defeat to Liverpool

The charge relates to the incident in the 26th minute when players berated referee Craig Pawson for Roberto Firmino's goal

Virgil van Dijk celebrates with Georginio Wijnaldum scoring Liverpool's first goal against Manchester United at Anfield. Reuters

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Manchester United's Luke Shaw tussle for the ball. PA

Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain heads off the pitch after being substituted. AFP

Liverpool's Sadio Mane (C) lunges in for a tackle on Manchester United's Victor Lindelof. EPA

Virgil van Dijk celebrates his goal with teammate Roberto Firmino. EPA

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the ball during Liverpool's game against Manchester United. AFP

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp gestures from the touchline. Reuters

Liverpool forwartd Roberto Firmino winners a header. AFP

Manchester United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka, left, attempts to block a cross from Roberto Firmino AP Photo

Liverpool's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is tackled by Manchester United's Brandon Williams. PA

Manchester United's Anthony Martial shoots at goal. Reuters

Mohamed Salah, right, takes a shot at goal. AP Photo

Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum scores a disallowed goal. AP Photo

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea watches the ball sneak past the post. Reuters

Manchester United's players surround referee Craig Pawson before Roberto Firmino's goal is disallowed. EPA

Roberto Firmino celebrates after a goal before it gets disallowed by VAR. AP Photo

Virgil van Dijk fouls David de Gea in the lead-up to Roberto Firmino's disallowed goal. Reuters

Virgil van Dijk (left) celebrates scoring Liverpool's first goal with Roberto Firmino. PA

The English Football Association (FA) have charged Manchester United over misconduct of their players during the 2-0 Premier League defeat to rivals Liverpool on Sunday.

The charge relates to United players surrounding referee Craig Pawson after he had initially awarded Liverpool a second goal when Roberto Firmino curled in a shot in the 26th minute.

A number of players berated Pawson over his decision to award the goal, with Virgil van Dijk impeding United goalkeeper David de Gea in the build-up.

De Gea dropped the ball which the defence failed to clear allowing Firmino to take advantage and score. VAR subsequently overturned the goal.

"Manchester United FC has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20(a)," read the FA statement.

"It is alleged that the club failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 26th minute of the Premier League fixture against Liverpool FC on Sunday (19/01/20)."

A furious De Gea led United protests, rushing over to Pawson to vent his frustration. The Spaniard, who was booked for his actions, was joined by a number of his team-mates in surrounding Pawson.

Van Dijk had already opened the scoring for Liverpool prior to the incident and Mohamed Salah added a second in time added on to extend Liverpool's lead over Manchester City to 16 points - United trail by 30 points.

United have until Thursday to respond to the charge.