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Under-fire Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag does not fear for his job as his absentee-hit, confidence-sapped side prepare to travel to bitter rivals Liverpool.<\/p>\n
The afterglow of a promising first season in the dugout has long since disappeared, with the Dutchman\u2019s position under intense scrutiny after a wretched start to his second campaign.<\/p>\n
United\u2019s Carabao Cup defence ended last month and Tuesday\u2019s lifeless 1-0 home loss to Bayern Munich in their Champions League group finale saw them eliminated from Europe with a whimper.<\/p>\n
Now comes the unenviable task of travelling to Premier League leaders Liverpool, who start the weekend 10 points ahead of their misfiring sixth-placed rivals.<\/p>\n
United\u2019s 12 defeats in 24 matches in all competitions has heaped the pressure on Ten Hag, but he is not worried about the axe ahead of the trip to Anfield.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, there\u2019s no concern because I\u2019m here to win and I have to make the team play better,\u201d the Dutchman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you play good, even then I say good is not good enough, and now we are inconsistent, so I have to work on that the team is going to play for longer periods in a high level.\u201d<\/p>\n
The fact United are in a state of flux, as the wait for confirmation of Sir Jim Ratcliffe\u2019s partial takeover rumbles on, has perhaps given Ten Hag more time than others would have got.<\/p>\n
Asked what gives him the confidence he retains the backing of everyone at the club, the United boss said: \u201cI feel that (backing), yeah, and they tell it to me.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s fine and that\u2019s OK, but I\u2019m focusing on the process. I\u2019m focusing on making this team play better. I am focusing on make the individuals better and that\u2019s my concern.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is all I\u2019m doing \u2013 focusing on the right thing and that is the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
United\u2019s team need a lot of attention judging by this season\u2019s meek performances, with last weekend\u2019s humiliating 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth the nadir.<\/p>\n
In truth, the Red Devils have not been the same since losing 7-0 at Anfield in March, just a week after ending their six-year wait for a trophy by lifting the Carabao Cup.<\/p>\n
It was a record defeat in this fixture and some United fans fear the season could reach a new low on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think everyone knows, I think everyone is highly motivated when you go to Anfield,\u201d Ten Hag said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great place to go and you know it\u2019s going to be tough, and I think what every top footballer wants is to have that challenge, so you have to look forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year of course we take that in our memory, but you have to also take the benefit from it, learn from it and on Sunday we can prove that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Skipper Bruno Fernandes faced particular criticism after March\u2019s Anfield annihilation and will miss the return after picking up a needless fifth booking of the season for dissent.<\/p>\n
The United captain\u2019s absence compounds an eye-watering list of absentees, including injured Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia and Amad Diallo.<\/p>\n
Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof have also been laid low recently, while Jadon Sancho remains banished from the first team.<\/p>\n
Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw went off through injury against Bayern and the former has joined the lengthy list of absentees, which Anthony Martial remains on through illness.<\/p>\n
But Ten Hag provided a positive update on Shaw after his hamstring complaint and says Marcus Rashford is back from the illness that ruled him out of Tuesday\u2019s loss.<\/p>\n
\u201cHarry will not be available for the coming games but we don\u2019t think it is a long-term issue,\u201d the United boss, who would not reveal his captain for Anfield, said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLuke Shaw trained this morning, so we think he\u2019s available for Sunday. Marcus Rashford is available, Martial not.\u201d<\/p>\n