Erik ten Hag says Manchester United are fighting together to try to turn their season around and insists Jadon Sancho’s future depends on the winger’s actions.
United have lost four of their first six matches, with Wednesday’s 4-3 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League following a 3-1 reversal against Brighton, leaving Ten Hag embattled little over a month into the new campaign.
The Dutchman said: “It’s my second year. I know it’s not always only going up, you will have your gaps and you get stronger from it as long as you stay together, and that’s what we’re doing.
“The dressing room, staff, all the staff, coaches, medical, everyone is united and at United you fight.”
Manchester United have lost four of their opening six games this season
Stories of disgruntlement in the dressing room have begun to appear while the attitude of players has also been questioned.
Ten Hag tried to paint a positive picture, saying: “I don’t know if it’s a leak but I know opinion, I know my players. Everyone can make suggestions, we are OK with it.”
There have also been suggestions of unhappiness at the influence of Ten Hag’s agent, Kees Vos, and his Sports Entertainment Group on transfer dealings.
“It can’t be because we make very good agreements about it from the start, how we cooperate in that manner,” said Ten Hag.
“For player decisions, transfers, it’s always 50-50, we both have a veto – the club, represented by John Murtough, and me. So there can never be a distraction.”
Ten Hag: Sancho’s future depends on him
United’s poor form has made Saturday’s trip to Burnley a high-pressure occasion, and they will again be without Jadon Sancho, who remains absent from the squad due to disciplinary issues.
“It depends on him,” said Ten Hag. “For the rest, we are preparing for Burnley and that’s our focus. He will not be in the squad.”
More to follow…
Jadon Sancho remains unavailable for Manchester United due to disciplinary issues
What’s coming up for Man Utd?
September 23: Burnley (A) – Premier League, kick-off 8pm
September 26: Crystal Palace (H) – Carabao Cup, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
September 30: Crystal Palace (H) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
October 3: Galatasaray (H) – Champions League, kick-off 8pm
October 7: Brentford (H) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
October 21: Sheffield United (A) – Premier League, kick-off 8pm