Erik ten Hag is confident he has the support of Manchester United’s leadership and believes improvements are coming, even after a difficult night in Porto heightened speculation about his job security.
The future of the 54-year-old has become a major topic of conversation just three months after Ineos backed the Dutchman by extending his contract following a thorough post-season evaluation.
However, the joy from May’s FA Cup victory over Manchester City has quickly diminished. Sunday’s 3-0 home loss to Tottenham was worsened four days later when United squandered a two-goal lead against Porto in the Europa League.
Captain Bruno Fernandes received a red card for the second consecutive game, and it took a last-minute header from substitute Harry Maguire to secure a 3-3 draw, which does little to lift spirits ahead of Sunday’s tough match against Aston Villa.
When asked about the patience of the United fanbase and management, given his statement to evaluate them at the season’s end, Ten Hag replied: “I’m not thinking about such issues because that is not a topic.
“We are in there together – the ownership, the leadership team, the staff. I appointed a new staff, we bought, again, new young players and we have to integrate them.
“Like we just talked about Manuel Ugarte, the sixth position was absolutely one of the topics we want to sign for the season, but he needs time to integrate.
“And I know in top football, you don’t get time; they have to perform immediately, but it’s not always realistic.
“He has to get used to our game model, he has to get used to his team-mates, he has to get used to the intensity of the Premier League, so it needs time.
“We have more positions where we need time, where I was very pleased with the return of Rasmus Hojlund.
“I think he had a good return, but we didn’t, and we couldn’t play him in the first two months of the season.
“Hopefully, he’s now fit, he keeps improving in his fitness levels, and he also has a consistent, fit season. That will help us.
“There are some more areas where we will improve, definitely, and then this team can grow and improve. Then we will see where we will end in the end of the season.”
Ten Hag’s confidence during the ongoing turmoil is commendable, but it doesn’t hide the problems that need to be addressed.
On Thursday, United conceded three or more goals in a match for the 24th time in all competitions since his appointment, the highest number of any Premier League team during that time, following yet another familiar collapse.
Marcus Rashford and Hojlund’s goals were equalized by quick strikes from Pepe and Samu Omorodion, with the latter putting Porto in the lead early in the second half.
“What is the mental issue? So, there is a range, it’s a spectrum of topics, and you have to address it right,” Ten Hag said.
“This team has the belief that they don’t give up, so they have…a strong mentality.
“But in some other parts, they have to step up if you want to win trophies; yeah, definitely, in some areas, we have to improve.”
A significant improvement is required at Villa Park on Sunday if Ten Hag wants to avoid facing scrutiny during the next international break.
Ten Hag stated that midfielder Kobbie Mainoo will be evaluated before the match in the Midlands due to a knock he received against Spurs.
The 19-year-old trained the day before the Porto match and traveled to Portugal, but he did not make the substitute list.
“We had three players with issues going into this game,” Ten Hag said. “Harry Maguire, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
“Harry Maguire and Alejandro made the squad and they were capable to play some minutes. Kobbie Mainoo didn’t make it. It was too big (a) risk.
“We have to wait and see if he can play on Sunday if he’s fit enough to start or be on the bench.”
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