Manchester United bosses are "clearly not happy" with how Manchester United have started the season, in a damning verdict on Erik ten Hag's continued struggles as manager.
Ten Hag survived the international break despite a five-game winless streak, which included a 3-0 home hammering at the hands of Tottenham, again prompting fierce speculation over his ability on the job.
Ahead of the return to Premier League action, Ten Hag confirmed he had not been given assurances from the United hierarchy over his job but blamed the media for “creating fairy tales” and “lies” about a possible sacking.
"The noise is only coming from the media, from you guys,” he said. “From some of you, not all of you, but some of you. Bringing up stories, creating stories, creating fairy tales, making noise, bringing lies. Because I know we are all on one page in this club. I told this before the break, I told several journalists, they didn't believe me. I see the reports, but internal in the club it's quiet.
Clearly we are not happy with the men’s first team’s start to the season and results are not where we want them to be
"Of course, we are discussing the position where we are, that we are unhappy in the position where we are and we have to turn the corner, what has to happen with a strategy to turn this corner. But ultimately we are quiet, we are composed, we stay where we are, we stick to the plan and we are very convinced we will make it a success."
United the next day came from behind to beat Brentford at Old Trafford, relieving some of that pressure on Ten Hag, but a fans' forum meeting earlier in the week confirmed ill feeling behind the scenes.
Chief communications officer Toby Craig said: "Clearly we are not happy with the men’s first team’s start to the season and results are not where we want them to be. There is a huge amount of change going on.
"We believe we came out of the summer transfer window with a stronger squad, but it’s one that is still evolving with a number of younger players who will keep getting better.
"So there have been changes on the pitch, but also off the pitch with [sporting director] Dan Ashworth and [technical director] Jason Wilcox joining the club. They are transforming our sporting structure off the pitch.
"We know there’s still a lot to do. The women’s first team has started its season well, with a 100 per cent record so far in the WSL.
"Whilst the main focus of the fans’ forum has always been on fan issues, we will endeavour to keep the forum briefed on football developments and provide access to football leadership from time to time."
Collette Roche, United's chief operating officer, said: "We have to acknowledge up front that this is not always an easy or straightforward process. On the pitch, you will all be well aware that it has been a difficult start to the season for the men’s first team.
"But everyone at Carrington is working hard to put things back on track with three-quarters of the season still to go. On the women’s side things have started a lot more brightly, with three wins out of three in the WSL so let’s hope we can keep that going."
