Erik ten Hag: 'We are learning from each defeat'

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has insisted that his team are learning from their losses this season.

The 20-time English champions have already been beaten on 12 occasions during the 2023-24 campaign, with seven of those losses coming in the Premier League.

Man United were also beaten four times in their six Champions League group-stage fixtures, in addition to being knocked out of the EFL Cup by Newcastle United.

The Red Devils will enter Sunday's clash with Liverpool off the back of successive losses to Bournemouth and Bayern Munich, but Ten Hag has insisted that lessons are being learned from their poor results.

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"I think we did (learn from the defeats). And as I see, so from last week, the game, I think we are very disciplined in the way we defended Bayern Munich. Sometimes very high, sometimes very low," he told reporters during his press conference ahead of the Liverpool clash.

"But we are really there as a team. And now we have to make the next step. So from those moments where we control the game, in and out of possession, we have to take benefit.

"When we regain the ball, so on the counters, on the high turnovers and then we have to transfer that to opportunities and chances, and of course, at least in the end, in goals.

"I see the quality on the training pitch, yeah, but the only moment you have to prove it is in the games, isn't it? And this team did prove this in certain games that they are under high pressure, and they played very good football.

"But also, we have our lows and so high highs, low lows. So, we have to, as a team, we have to get more consistent.

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"I always have, when I go to any game, I have strong belief I'm going to win and I will prepare the team in that way, that we're going to win.

"And why? Yeah, because it's based on our rules and principles in the game, and it's based on our game plan and then a strong belief in the quality of my players."

Man United are currently seventh in the Premier League table, boasting 27 points from their opening 16 matches of the 2023-24 campaign.

The team's festive period will see them take on Liverpool, West Ham United and Aston Villa before finishing 2023 with a trip to Nottingham Forest.