Ten Hag claims bragging rights over Klopp and Arteta amid Man Utd struggles

23 August 2023 , 07:44

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Erik ten Hag's side lost 2-0 at Tottenham last time out (Image: Getty Images)

Erik ten Hag has made a better start to his managerial career in England than Jurgen Klopp, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Mikel Arteta.

The Manchester United boss has picked up more points in his first 40 Premier League games (78) than those three contemporaries. Ten Hag's start is only marginally worse than Pep Guardiola's, as the Manchester City manager won 82 points in the same time frame.

That statistic will be a relief to United fans after their poor start to the new season. United were fortunate to beat Wolves 1-0 in their opening Premier League game at Old Trafford and suffered a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham in their most recent outing.

Ten Hag is under pressure to build on United's successful 2022/23 campaign. The Red Devils finished third in the Premier League to return to the Champions League and won the Carabao Cup. They also reached the FA Cup final, losing 2-1 to Guardiola's side.

Klopp was appointed by Liverpool in October 2015 and has won seven trophies, including the Premier League title and the Champions League. Yet he endured a slow start to life on Merseyside, picking up just 71 points from his first 40 Premier League games.

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Solskjaer picked up 68 points in the same time frame, although it's important to remember that 18 of those games were in charge of relegated Cardiff. The Norwegian actually enjoyed a blistering start as United boss, winning 10 of his first 12 Premier League games.

Arteta's points tally from his first 40 Premier League games as Arsenal manager is a modest 63. His team finished eighth in consecutive seasons under the Spaniard, but Arsenal chiefs stuck by their boss and are now genuine title contenders.

Ten Hag has made a better start to his Premier League career than Jurgen Klopp (Getty Images)

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United fans are desperate for Ten Hag to lead them back to the top of European football. The Manchester club haven't won the Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, while their most recent European Cup was lifted 15 years ago.

United have spent big this summer to make three questionable signings. Mason Mount arrived from Chelsea in a £65million deal but failed to make an impact against Wolves and Tottenham. He's also picked up an injury and will miss their next two games.

Ten Hag stuck his neck on the line by releasing long-serving goalkeeper David de Gea and signing Andre Onana from Inter Milan. The new stopper was lucky not to concede a last-minute penalty against Wolves after clattering into Sasa Kalajdzic.

United's third major signing of the summer is Rasmus Hojlund following his £72m move from Atalanta. The 20-year-old striker has shown plenty of promise during his career but boasts a modest record, scoring just nine Serie A goals last season.

Tom Blow