Erik ten Hag risks further humiliation as Liverpool twist the knife into Man Utd boss

Erik ten Hag could soon be made to look silly by Liverpool, who are reportedly interested in signing a player who was recently sold by Manchester United. The Red Devils have endured their worst-ever start to a Premier League season, leaving Ten Hag’s future in serious doubt.

The Dutchman appears to be skating on very thin ice, with reports suggesting that United are looking at potential replacements. The likes of Thomas Tuchel, Ruben Amorim and Edin Terzic are said to be among the contenders to step in at Old Trafford.

To make matters worse, a player sold by Ten Hag a few months ago could soon be turning out for United’s greatest rivals. Liverpool are said to be weighing up a move for Alvaro Fernandez Carreras, who recently joined Benfica.

According to Spanish outlet AS, Liverpool will compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona to sign Carreras in January. He is thought to have a release clause written into his Benfica contract but it is not known how much the Reds would need to pay to activate it.

The 21-year-old was named in several United squads before leaving Old Trafford but was never given a chance to prove his worth. It would certainly be embarrassing for Ten Hag if he joins Liverpool and plays against United at some point in the future.

The report adds that Liverpool are encouraged by Carreras’ prior experience in the English game. He never made a competitive debut for United but had a loan spell at Preston, where many Liverpool youngsters have been sent to develop their skills in recent years.

It is said that Benfica are reluctant to sell Carreras just months after bringing him to the club on a permanent deal. He joined the Portuguese heavyweights on loan from United in January before they bought him for around £6million in the summer.

The Red Devils will have the right to match any offer that Benfica deem worthy of accepting, which could give them an advantage if Carreras decides to have another go at Old Trafford.

It remains to be seen if Liverpool will be able to bring the player to Merseyside and humiliate Ten Hag, who deemed him surplus to requirements. The situation will become clearer at the turn of the year, with just 10 weeks until the January window opens for business.