Man United boss Erik ten Hag sends Liverpool message to his squad amid Manchester United 134-day Champions League fear

 Man United boss Erik ten Hag sends Liverpool message to his squad amid Manchester United 134-day Champions League fear

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has told his side what it takes to beat Liverpool after the race for fourth place in the Champions League resumes.

Until last week, Manchester United had a comfortable lead over Liverpool in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

After beating Aston Villa 1-0, Manchester United entered the final month of the season seven points clear of their rivals after playing one game fewer.

Erik ten Hag’s side was surely looking ahead at third-place Newcastle United rather than over its shoulder at the Reds.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Manchester United boss Ten Hag urged his players not to focus on the Liverpool threat.

He insists the League Cup winners will do well in the Champions League race as long as they correct their recent mistakes.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has told his squad what to do to beat Liverpool to a Champions League spot after the race for fourth was reignited.

Up until last week, Manchester United held a comfortable cushion over Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification.

After beating Aston Villa 1-0, Manchester United entered the final month of the season with a seven-point advantage over its arch-rival, having played a game fewer.Erik ten Hag’s side was surely looking ahead at third-place Newcastle United rather than over its shoulder at the Reds.

However, two 1-0 defeats in the space of four days away to Brighton and West Ham United have significantly changed the picture.

After Liverpool extended their winning streak to six with victories over Fulham and Brentford, the gap narrowed to just one point. Manchester United still retain a playing hand but things look much more nervous for the Red Devils.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Manchester United boss Ten Hag urged his players not to focus on the threat of Liverpool.

He insists the League Cup winners will be fine in the Champions League race as long as they correct their recent errors

It’s not about Liverpool, it’s about us and thanks to the table, we have everything in our hands” he said.

“If we carry our performance and standards, we will win matches. We don’t have to look at others, we have to look at ourselves and find a way to win and get back to our level.”

Liverpool.com says: While Ten Hag is smart to publicly call for calm, he must have private concerns.

Manchester United entered the top four by beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 on 27 December and remained there for 134 days. Collapsing so late in the season would be embarrassing for the Dutchman in his first year in charge and undo much of his good work.

In any case, the calendar looks favorable to Manchester United. He’s only beaten one top 12 on the road, but has no more of those assignments left, with three of his four games at Old Trafford.

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“The deal is upon us…” – Fabrizio Romano reveals that Liverpool are finally ready to appoint Julian Ward’s successor

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are close to appointing a new sporting director for the summer transfer market.

In November, current Reds director of football Julian Ward announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season, just months after officially replacing Michael Edwards in the role.

Ward has since accepted a similar role at Ajax, helping the Dutch giants rebuild following the departure of manager Erik ten Hag and several star players last summer.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are looking for the 41-year-old’s successor. In late April, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said that while he was not involved in the club’s talks about replacing Ward, the search was “going in the right direction”.

“I’m not involved in the talks,” Klopp said at the time. “Maybe the talks, yes, but I’m not the person at the club who can give a real answer on the situation.

“It’s up to others to decide, but from what I’ve heard, everything is going in the right direction.”

And if the reports are to be believed, Liverpool are set to announce Ward’s replacement.
Jörg Schmadtke is Liverpool FC’s new sporting director

According to Romano, Liverpool are “close” to appointing Jörg Schmadtke as their next sporting director.

Schmadtke was a goalkeeper during his playing days before moving into football administration. Indeed, the German recently held the title of managing director of sport at Wolfsburg for five years before leaving in early February.

Romano tweeted: “Liverpool are now about to appoint Jorg Schmadtke as [their] new sporting director. The deal is imminent – he accepted the role.

“The former director of Wolfsburg will work on the project/new signings alongside Jurgen Klopp, who will remain crucial in the transfer strategy.”

Liverpool are reportedly busy in the summer transfer market after a difficult campaign.