Erik ten Hag reacts to Jurgen Klopp's shock Liverpool announcement as Dutchman claims Man Utd were 'over-performing' last season

In light of the German's announcement, Ten Hag has revealed that his club has to focus on bettering themselves rather than hoping for their rivals to fall off after his departure. With Klopp leaving and Manchester City's future up in the air due to their 115 Premier League charges, the dominance of the two sides in England could finally be slipping and the Red Devils will be hoping to be the club to take over at the summit.

"We have to look to ourselves and keep working and reconstructing this club," the Dutchman told reporters. "We know we need to be better. Last season we were over-performing. Now we have a downfall and we have to stop this, but I think it belongs to the project.

"It's great that Klopp has kept everything in his own hands to step down the moment he wanted it, when he wanted his era to come to an end. When you're involved in top level football, I think you know that you have to prove yourself every day — and that counts for everyone who is working for this club too."

Following Sir Jim Ratcliffe's minority takeover at Old Trafford, improvement from the Red Devils has been predicted. Ratcliffe's arrival has been in the works for over six months but is now just awaiting final ratification. Ten Hag's job is understood to not be in any immediate danger despite his side's struggles this season.

United will go all out in their next encounter which comes against Newport County on Sunday as they know that the FA Cup may be their only shot at a trophy this season. They are out of both the Carabao Cup and Champions League and are a distant eight in the Premier League.