Erik ten Hag is doing even better than record-breaking statistic suggests at Manchester United

The last time Manchester United prepared to take on Liverpool, they did so with the weight of the world on their shoulders.

They had lost each of their opening two matches of the season and the Erik ten Hag era, had been destroyed and humiliated by Brentford and were only being kept off the foot of the Premier League table because of the fact West Ham United had played a game more. Fast forward just over six months and the situation could not possibly be any different.

United will travel to Anfield on Sunday afternoon, at the time of writing, 10 points and three places above their fiercest rivals in the table. Galvanised by their 2-1 win over Jurgen Klopp's side at Old Trafford back in August, the Reds have not looked back since that raucous evening, improving at a rapid rate and ending their six-year wait for a trophy.

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Last weekend's Carabao Cup final triumph over Newcastle United was as much a relief as it was a celebration, such is the way United have declined since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement a decade ago. But with Ten Hag now at the forefront of the club's mission to climb back to the top of English football, the positivity oozing out of Old Trafford has not been as rich since Ferguson called it a day.

Wednesday night's 3-1 FA Cup fifth round win over West Ham kept the club's hopes of an almost unthinkable quadruple this season alive. Although they are considered as rank outsiders in the race for the title, just the fact that a quadruple is possible so soon after a forgettable 2021/22 campaign is an achievement in itself.

Not only did the victory over the Hammers keep United's dream of winning four trophies this season alive, it also