United are sixth in the Premier League table with a minus goal difference and unlikely to qualify for the Champions League as they are 11 points behind Tottenham and Aston Villa in fourth and fifth.
Although United have an FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City next week, the last time they won the Cup in 2016 they sacked manager Louis van Gaal two days later.
Many United supporters have sympathised with Ten Hag as he has had to handle fallouts with a number of highprofile players, the interminable strategic review and the departures of former chief executive Richard Arnold and John Murtough. United have also recorded 56 separate injuries or illnesses that have caused a player to miss a game this season.
Ten Hag likened himself to a politician with the myriad of issues he has to contend with.
"The thing is you have to be realistic," he stressed. "As a manager it's like a minister. Yes, you don't have anything in your hands but at the end of the day you have to accept that. You are responsible for everything. And I take that.
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