Ten Hag aims to block out all the noise

ERIK ten Hag says the United hierarchy should have told him by now if they intend to sack him.

- SAMUEL LUCKHURST

The Reds battled to a goalless draw at Aston Villa yesterday but they are winless in five games, have seven points from seven in the league their worst start to a Premier League season - and are 14th in the table.

Co-chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, technical director Jason Wilcox and football board member Sir Dave Brailsford were all in attendance at Villa Park. Ratcliffe refused to publicly back Ten Hag on Friday and the Dutchman expects to hold discussions with the hierarchy in the coming days.

"So I don't have any idea that is different," Ten Hag replied when pressed on his future, "because they should have told me. We communicate very open, very transparent.

"I speak continuously with them and just after the game I have to do my job, talk with the players, manage the players and answer questions from you. We always talk. Every week, I would say every day we talk, so I expect I will speak with them.