14 December 2023 , 11:32
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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been told he needs to answer serious questions about the credentials of his squad by ex-Old Trafford ace Dimitar Berbatov.
United are in the midst of what is undoubtedly the toughest period of Ten Hag's reign to date, with the Red Devils having lost 12 of their 24 games across all competitions so far this term. As a result, the pressure is mounting on the manager, particularly after back to back defeats by Bournemouth and Bayern Munich.
Both came at Old Trafford, with the Cherries running out 3-0 winners before Bayern sealed United's exit from the Champions League with a 1-0 win of their own. That defeat meant United came rock bottom of their group and missed out on Europa League football in the process.
Reflecting on those two displays, Berbatov was under no illusions in regards to the scrutiny that now surrounds Ten Hag's position. There is now a real possibility that if results don't fall United's way this weekend, they will end this matchweek languishing as low as ninth in the Premier League table.
Former Red Devils forward Berbatov told BetFair: "I felt like s**t watching the Bournemouth game. United won against Chelsea and then they played Bournemouth at Old Trafford. With all due respect to Bournemouth, United need to win games like this.
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"I was watching the game, and it felt like United didn’t have an answer to the way Bournemouth were playing. Then they had Bayern Munich and lost that game. Now they go to Liverpool. Even with the injury list, losing games means Erik ten Hag needs to answer questions.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Berbatov's assessment of United's recent run fair? Comment below
Erik ten Hag is under huge pressure at Man Utd (PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty Images)"You are doubting yourself and you’re now playing one of your biggest rivals. You are in a type of form that you don’t want to be in when you play Liverpool – that’s the problem."
Sunday's trip to Anfield comes at arguably the worst possible time for a United side out of form and without a win at the home of the Reds since January 2016. Ten Hag's side have won just one of their last 10 league clashes with their arch-enemies, who won this contest 7-0 last term.
With Jurgen Klopp's side flying high at the top of the Premier League table and well in the mix when it comes to the title race, it is unlikely United meet anything less than a Liverpool side at the top of their game, aiming to inflict further misery on Ten Hag and co.