Updated:
Mar 5, 2023
Manchester United have won a trophy after six years, and it seems like the start of something special under Erik Ten Hag, who has stirred the red half of Manchester once again. Nine months into his tenure, it seems the Dutchman has put no foot wrong. Ten Hag has taken some bold decisions, be it sending Cristiano Ronaldo to exile or benching the club captain Harry Maguire. The former Ajax manager has set the standards he expects his players to meet if they long to play for Manchester United. Ten Hag’s men might be back at Wembley soon after turning around a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 win against West Ham in the FA Cup. United have secured a favourable draw in the quarterfinals against Fulham at Old Trafford, and a victory will mean a trip back to Wembley
However, United will next play at Anfield against their fierce rivals Liverpool in the Premier League. A lot has changed since Ten Hag’s side first came up against Liverpool earlier in the season. August 13 is still vividly clear in the minds of Manchester United fans as their team was battered 4-0 away to Brentford and sat at the foot of the Premier League table after two matchdays. Things looked gloomy, and the expectancy around Old Trafford was that Ten Hag would have to wait for his first competitive win as a United manager as they were set to welcome Liverpool.
A buoyant Old Trafford helped United beat Liverpool 2-1, and they have not looked back since. The discipline that Ten Hag has instilled in this group of players has enabled them to make Old Trafford a fortress again. United have not lost a game in the Premier League at Old Trafford since the opening weekend defeat to Brighton. United have seen off the likes of Man City, Barcelona, and league leaders Arsenal at the theatre of dreams.
No team across Europe’s top five leagues has more wins (30) than United across all competitions. United are the only team in Europe still alive in all four competitions. Ten Hag has done wonders to restore the feel-good factor around the club and has already brought silverware with which the club is much synonymous. It is still likely that United could end the season with more than one piece of silverware. However, all the attention now springs to the crucial game against Liverpool that United head into as favourites.
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