Erik ten Hag has acknowledged that Manchester United’s board are “not happy” with a start that has left his side in 14th place and with only three wins in 10 games across all competitions. This form has once again put the manager’s job under scrutiny as the international break approached. Ten Hag admitted before Saturday’s Premier League game at home to Brentford that the hierarchy, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who oversees football policy, Omar Berrada, the chief executive, and Dan Ashworth, the sporting director, were dissatisfied with his team’s performances.

“We are calm but we’re not happy,” he stated. “No one, not the players, staff, or board. But we are calm and know what we’re doing. Calm in our strategy and we are progressing towards our goals, and we can achieve what we aim to do this season.”

For the most part, Ten Hag has maintained the support of the fans at Old Trafford. He was asked whether he would understand if this support diminished if results did not improve. “We are on the same page and in the same boat,” he responded. “If there is a strong connection between us, they see the challenges we face at the start of the season and they know that if we stick together, we will repay their trust in us. That’s what we did in the last two years. I’m confident this will happen again.”

Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, no manager has remained in charge for three full seasons. Given that Ratcliffe and the football department recognize the need for time to make United competitive again, Ten Hag was asked if he needed five seasons to achieve this, with the current one being his third. He replied: “I don’t think in terms of years. I want to win every game and make every season a success. I want trophies and titles, and I believe I have to win every game and meet the standards required to win every game to reach where we need to be.”

“One thing is certain, there’s almost no club in the world where expectations are as high, and that’s set from the era of Sir Alex. The rest of us have to manage this. The demands are the highest in every aspect, and we’re not there yet in every aspect. We haven’t yet challenged for the Premier League or Champions League, but that’s our ambition.”

Manuel Ugarte is available today after the midfielder was injured while playing for Uruguay.

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