Erik ten Hag insists he has the full backing of the Manchester United board after leading his side to a drab 0-0 draw at Aston Villa in front of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The Dutchman was under huge pressure ahead of this game after Ratcliffe failed to offer him full support in midweek, saying that a decision on Ten Hag’s future was ‘not my call’.
This result is unlikely to mean Ten Hag is out of the woods. United are 14th in the table heading into the international break and Ratcliffe will surely not have been thrilled by what he saw – yet Ten Hag remains defiant.
Asked whether Ratcliffe and his advisors back him, Ten Hag said: ‘I don’t have any idea that’s different because [otherwise] they should have told me. We communicate very openly. It’s very transparent.
‘We are all on board together, on one page. We know what we are working through is a long-term process. I speak continually with them. After the game I have to do my job – talking to the players, managing the players and answering questions from the media.
‘But we always talk every week. I would say we talk every day so I expect I will speak to them.’
If Old Trafford bosses keep faith with Ten Hag, his priority will be to sort out his side’s problems in front of goal.
United drew 3-3 at Porto in the Europa League last week but they have gone three games without a goal in the Premier League and have failed to score in four of their last five matches.
Ten Hag underlined his side’s improvement at the back after their fourth clean sheet of the campaign but is now worried about the fitness of Harry Maguire, who was injured at the end of the first half and left Villa Park in a protective boot.
‘In the opponent’s box we have to be more ruthless, clinical and show more killer instinct,’ he added.
Yamadoprt
0
Trash talk.. just sacked ETH
DawidBJaarsak
0
Eric Ten Hag i will back him The blame is not him it is the dis obeying players he have and the useless fans that makes his job a living hell
Buwbemopyz
0
sack this useless coach ten hug. he should join pundits as talking is the only thing he know
rahabckpst
0
IN JANUARY MANCHESTER UNITED SHOULD BRING STERLING,IN ADDITION THERE IS IN NEED FOR AN AGGRESSIVE CENTRAL ATTACKER,IN THE MIDFIELD TWO STRONG MIDFIELDERS SHOULD BE BROUGHT IN , ERIKSEN HAS NO SPEED, THE TEAM MISSES A CENTRAL DEFENDER LIKE RIO AT THE TIME OF SIR ALEX FERGUSON, THE TEAM ,OWNERS SHOULD BUY QUALITY PLAYERS SO THAT MANCHESTER CAN BE ON THE RIGHT PATH IT IS SHAMEFUL,ETH SHOULD GO MUST RESIGN ON MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING, FANS ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE NOT HAPPY ,EVERY GAME PLAYERS ARE FRUSTRATED ACCUMULATING YELLOW CARDS AND RED CARDS, ZIRKEE IS STILL NOT PERFORMING WELL AMAD IS BETTER IS JUST RUNNING AROUND , SOMETIMES THE TEAM HAS PASSENGERS BE LIKE IN ZIRKEE,ERIKSEN, FERNANDES AS HE IS NOT PLAYING THE WAY HE WAS, AMRABAT WAS A BETTER MIDFIELDER, WE CAN'T CRY OVER PLAYERS WHO ARE GONE NOW ,COACH SHOULD GO,LATER ON DURING THE WINDOW BUY PLAYERS NOT NAMES
patikstuy
0
leave before
nehainory
0
I think ten hag I's witchdoctor because he shouldn't have been here
agreed 💯
sujaal
1
why is he not sacked yet... May be his bump is in use by board ....
Nacailmpsu
1
rahabckpst
0
ETH CANNOT TAKE THE TEAM ANYWHERE THE ENGLISH LEAGUE IS VERY COMPETITIVE IT NEEDS A COACH WITH EXPERIENCE OF ATTACKING SYSTEM WHAT HAS GONE WRONG WITH MANCHESTER UNITED 1, TOO MANY AJAX PLAYERS WHO MADE NAMES WITH ERIK TEN HAG NOT REALISING THAT TIME HAS CHANGED 2, CONTINUOUS INJURIES OF PLAYERS BECAUSE OF SHORT PASSES (HOSPITAL PASSES) AND DEFENSIVE SYSTEM OF PLAY 3, LACK OF FITNESS OF PLAYERS 4, SOLD BETTER PLAYERS LIKE IN VARANE,BISSAKA, MCTOMNAY AND SECOND CHOICE GOALKEEPER 5, THE TEAM DON'T HAVE BLACKS AS THEY HAVE PROVED THAT THEY ARE EXTREMELY DOING FAR MUCH BETTER IN OTHER TEAMS, 6 ETH IS ARROGANT HE IS PAYING FOR HIS HATERAGE ON CERTAIN PLAYERS LIKE RONALDO THAT TIME , SANCHOS, ANTHONY AND CASEMIRO , EVANS, ERIKSEN CASEMIRO AND FERNANDES ARE SLOW, 7,MOST OF THE TIME IS NOT COACHING ON THE LINE , TO CONCLUDE LET HIM GO TODAY THE TEAM IS GETTING WORSE EVERY GAME
Reaadnt
0
Draw is a great an achievement for him useless coach it’s really embarrassing leave the job shame on you
DrHalaMsdrid
0
Guy go become jobless this week 😀😃😃😃
nahadmtuz
0
The Manchester United board is also useless together with Sir.Ratcliffe to be on the side of Erik ten Hag with the results are happening every game Manchester United team play? Why can’t you just fire 🔥 this useless Coach Erik et hag?
nuybcklnop
0
U can't expect the strike to score goals if midfielder are not providing them with good balls
UjoAbx
1
What an accomplishment.. eth team can still maintain the position.. great achievement
bidceklpry
0
we wanted a win but he failed, sack him tomorrow by midday
daeaprsu
1
I think ten hag I's witchdoctor because he shouldn't have been here
Febbdemp
3
man united show great resilient and fought like Lion's to denied almighty villa a win ten hag is working
Bokcelmopt
0
Dimcderuyz
0
E T H is not a coach for man u
rahabckpst
1
MANY AJAX PLAYERS BOUGHT BY MANCHESTER UNITED ARE NOT HELPING THE TEAM ETH HAS NO ATTACKING SYSTEM OF PLAY,ZIRKEE. HAS FAILED AS A CENTRAL ATTACKER, ERIKSEN, FERNANDES,EVANS ARE VERY SLOW , ETH SHOULD GO
Huhaclorst
0
ETH has to know that they did not make enough chances in front of goal. it is not a case of being ruthless or not
Mapabeimru
2
He has the full backing of the Manchester United board because he’s blackmailing them. That’s the only explanation there could be.
Huhikmnps
1
Villa saved Erik's job by allowing United to a goaless draw
yabdiknouz
1
guys am sorry but the I started hating Ten H like nothing
Nimeikmpt
1
I like this boy even when he is underpressure he is still positive
Carringtonlife
0
Ten Hag wants to think he one of the co owners of Manchester united
omochris
0
This man called 10hang or whatever is truly an an arrogant brat...
Zuwabesz
0
you can't expect Anthony to win you games