Ten Hag becomes fastest United manager to 20 wins

The triumph made Erik the quickest United manager to reach the landmark, even beating Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Reds are now on a run of eight consecutive wins in competitive fixtures, with Manchester City our next opponents, on Saturday 14 January (12:30 GMT).

To have emerged victorious in 20 of our first 27 fixtures this season is certainly good going for the Dutchman, whose side have also kept 14 clean sheets.

Ten Hag's first victory as manager of the Reds came back in August, against bitter rivals Liverpool. Goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford sealed an important 2-1 win over the Merseysiders, as United kickstarted our season.

Erik’s first away win came in the month of August too, just five days after that triumph over Liverpool, as United defeated Southampton 1-0 at the St Marys Stadium courtesy of a superb volley from Bruno Fernandes.

September saw the Reds accumulate wins three, four and five under Ten Hag, with a 3-1 victory over Arsenal at Old Trafford catching the eye.

Win no.10 came at the end of October, in the Europa League. United hosted Sheriff Tiraspol and cruised to a commanding 3-0 scoreline – our third group-stage victory from the four matches we had played in the competition at that point. This match came eight days after another key win at home, as the Reds dominated from start to finish in a 2-0 success over Spurs.

United went into our away Premier League clash at Fulham looking to sign off for the 2022 World Cup break with another triumph, and Erik’s 14th as boss, having recorded further wins over West Ham, Real Sociedad and Aston Villa.

After a hard-fought encounter with the Cottagers looked certain to be finishing 1-1, up popped Alejandro Garnacho off the bench to clinch all three points for Ten Hag’s side. Erik’s substitution made the difference, and edged him closer to 20 wins as manager.

Following the World Cup, United have approached the landmark figure after every single match. Since the season’s resumption, the Reds have won six consecutive matches in all competitions, culminating in the most recent success over Charlton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

The first two matches of his tenure may not have gone as expected, against Brighton and Brentford, respectively, but the Dutchman has found his feet at Old Trafford and his side seems to be going from strength to strength.

ERIK’S FIRST 20 WINS

Goals scored: 49

Goals conceded: 26

Clean sheets: 14

Top scorer: Marcus Rashford (15 goals)

WATCH SIX OF THE BEST BELOW...