Defeats to both north London clubs were not part of the script, with Manchester United sitting 11th during the first international break. Still, the season remains in its infancy and Ten Hag has plenty of time to put things right.
The Reds should be competing at the top end of the Premier League, and a crunch clash against Brighton next weekend provides the perfect opportunity for Ten Hag and his side to kick-start their campaign.
Ahead of the showdown at Old Trafford, MEN Sport has looked at what some of the club’s rivals have said about United in recent months…
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta on the late win last weekend: “For every team, you look at the competition, and it’s like game one, game two, game three, game four, and there are still 34 games to go!
“So just focus on the game and play with more naturality, then the result will come. If you deserve it after 38 games you will be where you deserve it. We can only focus on that because it’s very early.”
Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino on Mason Mount sale: “When I talk about the future, it’s about the players in the squad. He is a Manchester United player now. I don’t know what happened in the past, we need to be focused on our players and move and try to build a nice story.”
John Terry on the Mason Mount deal: “Mase is proper Chels through and through. There’s always two sides to a story and I know the other side to it. I’m not going to air that tonight but there’s another side to the story. Let’s not be too harsh on him when he comes back.”
Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou after beating United 2-0: “It was good. It was fair to say we looked a bit nervous at the start which wasn’t surprising.
“We had two 20-year-olds, a couple of 22-year-olds out there. So I thought we gave the ball away a little bit too much and to be fair Man Utd probably had the better of the chances.
“I like the fact that we hung in there and worked our way into the game. The second half, certainly in spells, it kind of showed the team we want to be.”
Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne on Bruno Fernandes: “I think he’s a creative machine, in general. Odegaard is very creative but a little bit more controlled.
“Maddison is also really creative but I need to see more of him in a big team. He’s [Fernandes] been doing it for such a long time. Odegaard was amazing last year but obviously, he’s younger so that’s a difference.”
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp reflecting on £100million comments after United signed Pogba: “Everything changed. Do I like it? No. Did I realize I was wrong? Yes. That’s the way it goes. Saudi Arabia will not help with that.
“In the end, we have to try and make sure we get the best possible team together. 50% will like it and 50% won’t. We are trying to bring together the best squad for us.
“We cannot just point on players and bring them in, there is a lot of work to do. Sometimes one door closes and another opens up. If people want to throw my quotes from five years ago, no problem. I realize I was wrong.”