Jamie Carragher believes defeat for Manchester United against Liverpool this weekend could potentially call time on Erik ten Hag’s tenure at the club.
The Red Devils are set to take on Jurgen Klopp’s high flyers at Old Trafford on Sunday, with their a place in the FA Cup semi-finals up for grabs.
Ten Hag, who still holds the highest win percentage for any United boss in the club’s history, continues to face questions over his position.
With INEOS having now completed their minority takeover, United are expected to have a busy summer in terms of incomings and outgoings.
Ten Hag, who was appointed back in April 2022, has seen his side lose 11 Premier League games so far this season and Carragher believes defeat to Liverpool on Sunday could mark the end.
“Managerial changes have often followed the realisation one club has fallen too far behind their north-west neighbour, and particularly poor showings in this fixture for coaches who are already under pressure have a habit of setting the stopwatch for the end of a reign,” began the former Reds defender via his latest Telegraph column.
“Brendan Rodgers’ fate was sealed after defeat by United in September 2015, as it later emerged FSG had their first meetings with Klopp in New York shortly after.
“Jose Mourinho was sacked as United manager after defeat at Anfield in 2018, the hot-blooded reaction to being outplayed demanding immediate reassurance to the fanbase a change of directions was afoot.
“Three years later, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked within a month of a 5-0 loss at Old Trafford.”
United still have outside hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season and are currently eight points away from the top four.
With tricky tests against Liverpool, Newcastle and Arsenal still to come, Ten Hag will hope to have some his stars back for the vital run of games.
Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez and Rasmus Hojlund have all spent prolonged periods on the sidelines but are said to be closing in on their respective returns.
