Liverpool face Manchester United at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday. Manchester United history could repeat itself if Eric Ten Hag is not careful.
Another United manager is set to leave Anfield under enormous pressure. He needs to change things quickly and quickly.
Scott McTominay felt the need to reassure fans on Monday that while the club has been “toxic” at times under some managers, it has not been the case under ten Hag and his team-mates are behind the Dutchman.
But recent results and achievements suggest otherwise. Manchester United conceded three goals for the fifth time this season at Old Trafford on Saturday. The Theater of Dreams roof is leaking, but so is United’s defence.
In recent weeks, the situation for the Dutch has worsened. United responded to a wave of criticism last week by banning reporters from seeking answers about their 10th straight defeat before Christmas.
Ten Haag’s side responded with taunts from Bournemouth. Another blow for Liverpool. Some believe there could be a repeat of last season’s 7-0 loss. Then it is hard to imagine how Ten Hag lives. Like Jose Mourinho in December 2018, his last game could be against the Reds.
It was a pitiful display against Liverpool that finally prompted United’s management to get rid of Mourinho. The 3-1 defeat was the final nail in his coffin at Old Trafford. At that moment, it felt like Manchester United lost to Manchester City.
But in fact the Old Trafford club is still in the same position as before. Mourinho was sacked at 9.46am on Tuesday after Sunday’s defeat, but many fans believed the real moment of the sacking was during the game at Anfield.
Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson fell and injured his head during a match. Given how influential he still is at the club, many thought this was the end of Mourinho’s tenure at Manchester United.
Or maybe the Anfield crowd rioted and started chanting “don’t sack Mourinho”. I was a Liverpool fan. All Mourinho has done is create confusion, negativity and alienate people with his constant shooting.
He showed that he is yesterday’s man. And “Liverpool” will enter Sunday’s game in rich form. The performance is not vintage, but the Reds win. Klopp’s side are top of the table and in contention for the title this season. Of course they don’t have the same problems as United.
It is doubtful that Klopp will sleep like a baby ahead of Sunday’s game, but the Ten Hag could be forgiven for having nightmares about history repeating itself.
