Liverpool could ensure Erik ten Hag inherits an unwanted Man Utd record in Sunday’s Premier League clash.
Manchester United were on course for their 16th Premier League win of the season in the sixth minute of eight added onto their match against Chelsea on Thursday. At full-time, the Stamford Bridge atmosphere had shifted after a 3-2 comeback lead turned into a 4-3 comeback defeat, condemning the Red Devils to their 12th league loss.
Erik ten Hag’s first year was a success. He ended the club’s six-year trophy drought by lifting the Carabao Cup, reached the FA Cup final, and secured a Champions League return with a third-place finish.
The Dutchman later equalled a 118-year record by becoming the joint-quickest United manager to win 50 games, joining Ernest Mangnall by achieving the feat in 79 outings.
But his fortunes have spiralled since. First, United’s Carabao Cup defence ended at the second hurdle, losing 3-0 against Newcastle United at Old Trafford in a rematch of last season’s final.
Then came the worst Champions League campaign in the club’s history, finishing rock-bottom of Group A behind Bayern Munich, FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
Ten Hag’s side lost leads and conceded goals by the barrel load to record just one win in six games, a 1-0 triumph against Copenhagen that required a last-gasp Andre Onana penalty save.
Erik ten Hag may break an unwanted record at Man Utd. (Image: Getty)
The FA Cup represents United’s potential saving grace after an incredible 4-3 quarter-final victory against bitter rivals Liverpool – a day at Old Trafford that will live long in the memory.
They are a win against Championship side Coventry City away from a second consecutive final against Manchester City or Chelsea. Ten Hag is two wins away from two pieces of silverware in as many years.
United’s 12 Premier League defeats this season levels the tallies of David Moyes and Ryan Giggs in 2013/14 and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick and Ralf Rangnick in 2021/22.
David Moyes’ season started the era of mediocrity. (Image: Getty)
Jurgen Klopp’s side are leading the Premier League title race, are favourites to lift the Europa League and have already dethroned United as Carabao Cup champions.
But such an outcome would confirm that Ten Hag has overseen the club’s worst Premier League season in the post-Ferguson era in terms of defeats.
And it would leave United at risk of equalling or even dropping below the record-low league position in the same period, seventh, set by Moyes 10 years ago.
