As the under-fire Dutchman’s Manchester United prepares to face Premier League leaders Liverpool, Erik ten Hag feels that ‘a kick in the a***’ may be required to get Marcus Rashford back to his goalscoring best.

Erik ten Hag has said that in order to help Marcus Rashford and others back to form this season, he may need to take a more direct approach.

Rashford was absent due to sickness as United suffered a humiliating European elimination at the hands of Bayern Munich on Wednesday, a result that will almost certainly have far-reaching financial consequences for the club.

This, combined with his side’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth last weekend, has fueled talk that Sunday’s showdown with Liverpool might be make or break for the Dutchman’s term at Old Trafford, despite a good debut season in command.

Rashford was a standout in the second part of that season, but he has unable to match such efforts this season, with just two goals in 15 appearances.

Ten Hag seems to hint that the faltering squad needed a reassuring approach rather than more aggressive action when asked.

‘I think for almost any player it’s an arm around the shoulder, sometimes a kick in the a***,’ he said.

‘It can make a difference in the management which approach you are taking, a kick in the a** or an arm around the shoulder.’

The former Ajax manager has been uncompromising in his contacts with players behind the scenes since his arrival at the club.

Cristiano Ronaldo claimed in his now-famous chat with Piers Morgan prior to leaving the club that he did not respect Ten Hag because the manager did not respect him.

Similarly, Jadon Sancho is still out after a public spat with the 53-year-old that might see him leave the club in January, barely two years after joining from Borussia Dortmund for £73 million.

When asked about his job security if his squad suffers their third consecutive defeat in all competitions when they visit Anfield, Ten Hag declined to speculate and stated his team is still a work in progress.

‘I’m not concerned about that. I want to win, I want to win with my team, progress the team in the right direction. We are here in a project. 

‘Last season we were heading in the right direction. This season we haven’t met the standards we expect to have. That’s the truth. We have had a setback.

‘I think the future for Manchester United is very good if you see how many good players we have in the squad, how many good young players who have really high potential to play at a top level worldwide. 

‘I am sure when the injured players come back this team will perform better.’