Erik ten Hag comments expose his Manchester United problem

Manchester United finished third last season but are not within the top three favourites to land the title in May this time around.

Arsenal have improved, Manchester City can never be written off under Pep Guardiola and Liverpool have leapfrogged United over the summer. But it might be visiting fans who are hopping mad after Sunday’s trip to Anfield.

With the scars of April’s 7-0 drubbing still vivid, Erik ten Hag will somehow have to instil belief into a side that have just finished bottom of a Champions League group containing Galatasaray and Copenhagen. Sunday’s opponents may only be in the Europa League but United are out of Europe altogether now.

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United have regressed and there seems little in the way of internal repercussions. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s drawn-out arrival is not helping matters, especially with a boardroom frozen in fear over their futures at the club amid a probable shake-up.

The lack of stability likely reinforces Ten Hag’s position as manager, for now at least. With Ratcliffe set to take over sporting matters, the Glazers have effectively declared their disinterest in the football side of the football club - a surprise to nobody.

But what it also means is that January’s transfer scope will remain limited. The club are confident they will not breach Financial Fair Play rules this winter, but that could infer that little will be spent after a £180m-plus summer spend.

Ten Hag may argue that he needs better players brought in to conduct his ideal style of play, and perhaps he isn't wrong. But his pre-Liverpool comments should come as cause for concern.

“We are working here on a