Erik ten Hag speaks out for first time after being told he has two games to save his job

Erik ten Hag insists he is not fearing for his job after being told he has two games to save his Manchester United career.

The United manager is under intense pressure following Sunday’s dismal defeat to Tottenham but will remain in charge for games against Porto and Aston Villa this week.

While concern is rife within the club, Ten Hag retains the support of the club’s hierarchy for the time being. But further setbacks in Europe and the Premier League – where United have already lost half of their games this season – could signal the end.

But ahead of Thursday’s game, Ten Hag has issued a defiant message over his future, urging his players to ‘stick to the plan’ against Porto and Villa.

The former Ajax boss has delivered two trophies in his two seasons in Manchester and insists the goal remains to add to that haul this term.

In an interview with Sky Sports when asked if he feels like he will still be in charge after Sunday, Ten Hag said: I’m not thinking about it, I’m not anxious. We are together.

‘We created a togetherness in the summer with the ownership and the leadership.

‘We made this agreement and we were all behind it. We also know the strategy [is to bring in] young players in a transition period.

‘They also know in the end when we are May, in all my last six seasons, always there were trophies. That is what we are also now aiming for.’

Ten Hag was coy on any discussions that have taken place with the United hierarchy, led by CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth.

‘We’re talking continually,’ he said. ‘We are talking about how we can improve the process.

‘We are all very impatient and our fans are and that is what they are entitled to. But we are definitely impatient as well and we want to win every game and when we are losing everyone is disappointed, everyone is frustrated. It’s also our fuel to get better.’

Ten Hag is also adamant the squad is united, pulling in the same direction despite the chaos around them.

‘Yes, and we have seen this in this group there is a good spirit. Even after all the setbacks from yesterday [Sunday], they kept going. You see that spirit in this team and you see this is a team they want to fight for each other.

‘Also you can see the fans and they are disappointed but they kept with us and they kept supporting us from the first moment until the last moment. We are in it together.’