Ten Hag confident he still has Man Utd bosses' backing

Erik ten Hag remains confident he has the backing of Manchester United's hierarchy and that improvements are on their way after a problematic night in Porto only intensified talk about his position.

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The 54-year-old's future is the subject of widespread discussion just three months after United committed to the Dutchman, extending his contract following an in-depth post-season review. 

But the afterglow of May's FA Cup win against Manchester City has long since faded, with Sunday's 3-0 home defeat at Tottenham compounded four days later as United blew a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 against Porto in the Europa League. 

Skipper Bruno Fernandes was sent off for a second successive game and it required substitute Harry Maguire's stoppage-time header to rescue the draw that does little to improve the mood ahead of Sunday's challenging trip to Aston Villa. 

Asked if he felt there was patience within the United fan-base and structure, ten Hag said: "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 six 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."

"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." 

United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said a decision on Ten Hag's future is not down to him. 

Asked if he has faith in ten Hag, Ratcliffe told the BBC: "I don't want to answer that question... I like Erik. 

"I think he's a very good coach but at the end of the day it's not my call, it's the management team that's running Manchester United that have to decide how we best run the team in many different respects. 

"But that team that's running Manchester United has only been together since June or July. 

"Our objective is very clear - we want to take Manchester United back to where it should be, and it's not there yet, obviously. That's very clear."

Australian Associated Press

Roger Vaughan and Anna Harrington

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