- Manchester United host Liverpool in a big FA Cup quarterfinal match on Sunday
- Erik ten Hag’s future could depend on his team’s performance in the competition
- I fancy Manchester United on Sunday… something has to give against Jurgen’s giant. Everything is starting podcast
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Erik ten Hag has urged his players to turn around Manchester United’s season – and potentially save their job – by knocking Liverpool out of the FA Cup on Sunday.
United face their bitter rivals in a delightful quarter-final at Old Trafford with the aim of progressing in the only competition they still have a chance of winning.
Qualifying for the Champions League and lifting the FA Cup could still be the key to Ten Hag surviving a summer of change under new United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
And the Dutchman believes victory could be the catalyst for a rise that would make the difference in a troubled campaign.
“Go play and get it together,” was Ten Hag’s rallying cry to his players on Friday.
Erik ten Hag urged his players to turn Manchester United’s season against Liverpool
The Manchester United manager’s last chance to win a trophy this season is the FA Cup
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“Some games are more important than others and Manchester United-Liverpool is always an important game, especially when it’s the quarter-final of the FA Cup. We’re looking forward to it.
‘We have another opportunity to gain momentum. The team showed lately that we are on a very good run of games, so they believe they can do it.
“Now we have to take the momentum and that is also what I feel when I train with them and during the games: they have faith, good confidence and good spirit in the team.”
The uncertainty over Ten Hag’s future has also left his coaching staff in limbo. United players are increasingly doubtful their boss will survive if he fails to reach the Champions League or lift a trophy.
Even if Ratcliffe keeps faith in him, there are no guarantees his backroom team will be retained. Significant changes are being made to the set-up, with Dan Ashworth taking over as director of football and Jason Wilcox as technical director.
Ten Hag and his assistants Mitchell van der Gaag and Steve McClaren signed three-year deals when he moves to United in 2022.
“Go play and get the recovery,” was Ten Hag’s rallying cry to his players on Friday.
Ten Hag and his assistants Mitchell van der Gaag (right) and Steve McClaren (left) signed three-year contracts when he moved to Manchester United in 2022, but are under pressure.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool look to record another famous victory over Man United
Others, like forwards coach Benni McCarthy, will be out of contract in June and have been seeking assurances about their future.
McCarthy is popular with the team but risks being stranded if he turns down other offers, stays at the club and then Ten Hag is sacked.
All of which raises the stakes for tomorrow’s clash against Liverpool.
“We played a good team,” Ten Hag said. ‘We know where their strengths are, but also where their weaknesses are. We need our best to beat them.”
