Erik ten Hag said Man United must "step up" and score more goals after a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa left them with the second-lowest goal output in the Premier League

An underwhelming start to the new campaign has left those around the club trying to ascertain what Erik ten Hag wants from his squad

Erik ten Hag was in a defiant mood as he insisted Manchester United were improving after their goalless draw with Aston Villa. United earned a clean sheet and a point against a below-par Villa to lift the pressure on Ten Hag ahead of the international break.

Erik ten Hag conceded Manchester United must improve in forward areas after a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa extended the Red Devils’ winless run to five games on Sunday.

Manchester United drew at Aston Villa in a gritty display from Erik ten Hag's reorganised team. Here are the talking

Erik ten Hag does not get any sense from the Manchester United hierarchy that his position is in jeopardy and says the noise around his job heading into the international break is "external".

Man United have taken seven points from seven games in what has been their worst start to a Premier League season.

Ratcliffe took his seat at Villa Park alongside United’s new leadership team of chief executive Omar Berrada, technical director Jason Wilcox, sporting director Dan Ashworth as well as Dave Brailsford, a key figure at Ratcliffe’s Ineos Sport.

Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat at Tottenham was compounded four days later as United blew a two-goal lead against Porto

Erik ten Hag could see his Manchester United future decided next week but the Dutchman remains confident of remaining at the helm.