Arsenal legend sends ‘perilous’ Erik ten Hag warning before Liverpool vs Manchester United

Martin Keown has told Erik ten Hag that another humiliating defeat at Anfield could leave him in an untenable position.

Manchester United make the trip across the North West tomorrow to take on a Liverpool side sitting top of the Premier League. Last year’s 7-0 hiding - the most recent fixture between both teams - remains fresh in the memory and most pundits are expecting another heavy defeat.

United have been underwhelming this season and face a resurgent Reds side with one league loss all season. Ten Hag needs a lift, having faced growing concerns about his future after crashing out of the Champions League.

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Beating Liverpool would undoubtedly ease the pressure levels around Old Trafford but remains an uphill task given the form guide of the two clubs. Writing in his Daily Mail column, former Arsenal defender Keown claimed another huge defeat could leave Ten Hag in a “perilous” situation.

“Dominated in the Premier League by Bournemouth and dumped out of the Champions League against Bayern Munich, Manchester United are facing a critical moment and potentially a third defeat in a week,” he wrote. “If they want to avoid a repeat of last season’s 7-0 humiliation at Liverpool, they cannot afford to make the same mistakes as last weekend.

“Over and over, they fell into Bournemouth’s trap as the visitors blocked off the wide areas, forcing United to look through the middle. Amrabat was never on the half-turn when receiving possession, and there was very little movement from Fernandes and McTominay to make themselves available.

“Such is the lack of confidence in playing out from the back, Ten Hag