'I think': What Erik ten Hag said about Arne Slot two months before Manchester United sacking
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Manchester United have announced the sacking of Erik ten Hag after the Red Devils worst start to a Premier League season.
This weekend saw the Old Trafford side lose 2-1 away to West Ham with United now sat 14th in the Premier League standings, with Liverpool second in the table after drawing 2-2 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 1 | Man CityManchester City | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 9 | 11 | 23 |
| 2 | LiverpoolLiverpool | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 5 | 12 | 22 |
| 3 | ArsenalArsenal | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 18 |
| 4 | Aston VillaAston Villa | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 18 |
| 5 | ChelseaChelsea | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 17 |
| 6 | BrightonBrighton | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 16 |
| 7 | Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 16 |
| 8 | TottenhamTottenham | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 10 | 8 | 13 |
| 9 | BrentfordBrentford | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 13 |
| 10 | FulhamFulham | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 11 | B’mouthBournemouth | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 12 |
| 12 | NewcastleNewcastle | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 10 | -1 | 12 |
| 13 | West HamWest Ham | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 16 | -3 | 11 |
| 14 | Man UtdManchester United | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 11 | -3 | 11 |
| 15 | LeicesterLeicester | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 17 | -4 | 9 |
| 16 | EvertonEverton | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 16 | -6 | 9 |
| 17 | Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 9 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 11 | -5 | 6 |
| 18 | IpswichIpswich | 9 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 20 | -11 | 4 |
| 19 | WolvesWolves | 9 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 25 | -13 | 2 |
| 20 | SouthamptonSouthampton | 9 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 19 | -13 | 1 |
With Liverpool fans devastated to hear about Ten Hag’s sacking, the pressure is now on for United to find a replacement after awarding the Dutch coach a new contract in the summer after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
And old quotes from Ten Hag on Slot’s tenure at Liverpool have now resurfaced.
Ten Hag impressed with what he saw at Slot at Liverpool
Speaking to Manchester United’s official website after Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Old Trafford nearly two months ago, Ten Hag noted how impressed he was with Slot and the Dutch coach’s start to life as Liverpool manager.
Given how successful Slot has been at Liverpool since being appointed, United fans will hope their next appointment can finally break the streak of poor managerial hirings as the Old Trafford side look to find yet another successor to Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ten Hag said about Slot back in September: "I think that he's in quite a good place, because the structures are good, the players are good and Klopp football was of course very good and very successful.
“But I'm sure Arne with his skills that he can add to this. There will be elements of Klopp football but he will bring elements in and if they can bring this together they have a very good chance to stay very successful."
What was Ten Hag’s Manchester United record against Liverpool?
Ten Hag took on Liverpool six times during his tenure with United, with the Reds enjoying one of their most famous results ever in Premier League history against their Manchester rivals after winning 7-0 at Anfield last year.
| Date | Competition | Season | Result |
| September 1st 2024 | Premier League | 2024/25 | Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool |
| April 7th 2024 | Premier League | 2023/24 | Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool |
| March 17th 2024 | FA Cup | 2023/24 | Manchester United 4-3 Liverpool |
| December 17th 2023 | Premier League | 2023/24 | Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United |
| March 5th 2023 | Premier League | 2022/23 | Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United |
| August 22nd 2022 | Premier League | 2022/23 | Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool |
Yet as per Liverpool’s total record against United under the former Ajax manager, Ten Hag was solid against the Merseyside giants, with the Dutch coach having an even record of two wins, two draws and two losses against the Anfield side.
Indeed, Liverpool have been flying this year under Slot, and United fans will hope their next permanent appointment can live up to what the former Feyenoord manager has achieved with the Reds compared to what Ten Hag suffered through in the red half of Manchester.
