'Kick in the a*se or arm around the shoulder?' - Erik ten Hag admits some Man Utd players need rough treatment amid inconsistency

Ten Hag has seen his United side slip to seventh in the Premier League table, while also being eliminated from the Champions League at the group stages, in recent weeks. The club are currently on a run of two successive defeats, and have only won one of their last five games in all competitions, leading the Dutchman to claim that some of his players may require some rough management.

Quoted by The Independent, Ten Hag said: “I think any player almost, sometimes it’s arm around the shoulder, sometimes a kick in the a***.

“And then I think that makes a difference in the management, so when are you taking which approach? The kick in the a*** or arm around the shoulder?”

United go into Sunday's clash with Liverpool aiming to avoid a repeat of last season's humiliating 7-0 defeat. The Reds have been in fine form domestically and are currently top of the Premier League, having lost just once all season.

He will hope to avoid the scrutiny that comes with a heavy defeat when United face Liverpool. A win could potentially see the Red Devils move as high as sixth.