Erik ten Hag has no intention of showing his players the video nasty of last season’s hammering at Liverpool – and insists Manchester United can spring a surprise this weekend.
United lost 7-0 at Anfield in March on a chastening afternoon for Ten Hag and the club’s supporters.
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Their form since has been underwhelming with persistent rumours surrounding the Dutchman’s future amid reports of dressing room dissatisfaction.
Ten Hag, however, was putting on a brave face today, aiming to end a week that has seen a home thumping by Bournemouth and a European exit following a defeat to Bayern Munich, on a high.
Asked if he will make his players watch a repeat of their last trip to Anfield, he said: “No, I don’t think it’s the right thing to do.
“It is the past. What we can change is the future. Sunday is a new day.
“It was a bad experience but you start again. Last season we played very decent in the first half but got hammered just after half-time and we collapsed.
“It can’t happen but that was last year, it was a different team with different players. We don’t want to ignore it but we go there and will be confident of fighting from the start to the end. We go there to win.”
ℹ️ Erik has ruled @HarryMaguire93 out of Sunday’s fixture, and also provided the latest on @LukeShaw23 and @MarcusRashford.#MUFC || #PL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 15, 2023
United’s hopes of toppling their arch rivals is not helped by an injury list that has been added to by Harry Maguire and Anthony Martial, both of whom are not fit for the weekend.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is suspended but Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford are available.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool head into the weekend at the top of the table and in irresistible form but Ten Hag remains confident in his players’ ability.
He added: “Everyone is highly motivated when you go to Anfield, it’s a great place to go. You know it’s going to be tough but every team, every top footballer, wants that challenge so you have to look forward to it.
“We take that [the 7-0] defeat in our memory but you have to learn from it and on Sunday we can prove we have.”
There have been reports this week that Jim Ratcliffe, who is poised to finally complete his 25 per cent purchase of the club, will target former Chelsea boss Graham Potter and dispense with Ten Hag.
Asked if he felt supported by the club, Ten Hag said: “I feel that – they tell me – and that’s fine but I am focused on the process to make this team play better, making the individuals better, that’s my concern.
“I am here to win. If you play good then good is not good enough. We are inconsistent so we have to work to make the team play at a higher level for longer periods.”
