- The United manager avoided another defeat ahead of the international break
- Erik ten Hag spoke about his future at Man United under intense scrutiny
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Erik ten Hag insists he has the full support of the Manchester United board after leading his side to a dull 0-0 draw at Aston Villa in front of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The Dutchman was under intense pressure ahead of this match after Ratcliffe failed to offer him full support in midweek and said a decision on Ten Hag’s future was ‘not my decision’.
It is unlikely that this result means that Ten Hag is out of trouble. United are fourteenth heading into the international break and Ratcliffe will certainly not have been happy with what he saw – yet Ten Hag remains challenging.
When asked whether Ratcliffe and his advisers support him, Ten Hag said: ‘I have no idea that is different, because [otherwise] they should have told me. We communicate very openly. It is very transparent.
“We’re all on board, on one page. We know that what we are working through is a long process. I talk to them all the time. After the match I have to do my job: talk to the players, manage the players and answer questions from the media.
Erik ten Hag insists he has the full support of the Manchester United board after a goalless draw at Villa Park
Ten Hag is being intensively monitored for his position ahead of the international break, while club chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe (right) looks on at Villa Park
United’s players held on to secure a point at Villa Park but struggled to create chances
“But we always talk every week. I would say we talk every day, so I expect to talk to them.”
If Old Trafford bosses remain loyal to Ten Hag, his priority will be to solve his side’s problems in front of goal.
United drew 3-3 with Porto in the Europa League last week, but they have gone three games without a goal in the Premier League and have not scored in four of their last five matches.
United’s leadership board made a public display at Villa Park as they continued to review performance
Ten Hag highlighted his side’s improvement at the back after their fourth clean sheet of the season, but is now concerned 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 penalty area we have to be more ruthless, more clinical and show more killer instinct,” he added.