Tenphag must step it u tactically and get a Plan B . . . otherwise he will end up like Mourinho after he lost to Liverpool! ROBBIE FOWLER
Our Anfield legend always his the mark
ERIK TEN HAG will be hoping that history doesn’t repeat itself and he finds himself sacked after a defeat at Anfield.
Almost five years ago to the day, Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United reign ended following a 3-1 loss against Liverpool on Merseyside. As far as Ten Hag is concerned, there is no way he can contemplate a repeat of last season’s 7-0 drubbing. I still can’t believe how he didn’t order his players to try to shut up shop when it was 3-0 or 4-0. The art of being a really good manager is, in those circumstances, that you try to cut your losses.
United remained incredibly open and it could have been far worse.
I have been saying it for some weeks now that Ten Hag is, and should be, under scrutiny owing to some depressing results and performances. I wouldn’t be surprised if the United decision-makers were already considering their options.
If Plan A isn’t working, then you need a Plan B – which Ten Hag doesn’t seem to have.
Unfortunately, for Ten Hag, that’s the way football works.
For confirmation, he just has to have a word with Mourinho, who faced Liverpool in December 2018 with doubts over his future – ones which led to his exit a few days later.
Although United appear to be a shambles, it seems to be forgotten that Ten Hag was named Premier League manager of the month for November.
Probably up until they lost at Newcastle, United they were the form team in the Premier League, which led to Ten Hag scooping up the award.
After that, they beat Chelsea, but the two last results – damaging home defeats against Bournemouth and Bayern Munich – have people on their backs again. That, for me, is part and parcel of being Manchester United.
Losing 12 out of 24 games in all competitions is simply not good enough for a club of United’s stature. One of the problems for United has been poor recruitment.
It’s a lot different playing for a club in Holland, even Ajax, to turning out for United or just playing in the Premier League. I know a win for United would at least reduce the pressure on everyone, but that 7-0 thrashing and a 5-0 stuffing of United at Old Trafford the season before last, followed by a 4-0 win at Anfield, seem
No way can Ten Hag contemplate another 7-0 Anfield drubbing
to suggest Liverpool have the omens in their favour.
This time around United have the captain, Bruno Fernandes, missing, but maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
I look at him and think there is obviously something there as a player, but he definitely wouldn’t be my captain.
At Liverpool, you couldn’t see a greater contrast.
What I have really liked is that they have shown a commitment and desire to get three points when they are ever behind in games.
There is a freshness in the midfield area and look at the form of Trent Alexander-arnold. He is putting in world-class performances. The likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have also been fantastic.
Ryan Gravenberch might have been a bit player for Bayern Munich last season, but he looks a really good prospect as well.
The biggest compliment you can pay them is that the trio look as if they have been at the club a long time.
Liverpool’s recruitment – probably over the last six or seven years – has been excellent.
But I’m not surprised when you know the painstaking approach to bringing in the right players with the right character.