Erik ten Hag rounds on 'fairytales, lies and noise' amid speculation over Manchester United future ahead of Brentford

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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has rounded on the "fairytales, lies and noise" that he believes is surrounding his future at the club. The Red Devils have had a difficult start to the season, sitting a lowly 14th ahead of the resumption of the Premier League this weekend. United take on Brentford at Old Trafford as Ten Hag seeks to turn his side around.

Ten Hag hits out at 'fairytales' and 'lies' over speculation around Man Utd job

Video credit: SNTV

Erik ten Hag was in a combative mood ahead of Manchester United's crucial clash with Brentford on Saturday, accusing parts of the media of creating "fairytales and lies" around his position at the club.

United sit 14th ahead of welcoming Thomas Frank's Brentford to Old Trafford, as the clash takes on huge meaning for the hosts and their embattled manager.

Ten Hag has overseen just two wins from seven games so far this term, with only five goals scored.

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But the Dutch boss says things are "quiet and composed" under Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos, who are in their first season managing the footballing operations of the club.

In his pre-match press conference, Ten Hag said: "Noise is only coming from some of you in the media, creating stories and fairytales, and bringing lies.

"Journalists didn’t believe me. I saw the reports. Of course, we are unhappy with the position where we are.

"Ultimately, internally it is quiet and composed. We stick to the plan and are very convinced it will be a success."

He added: "We have to climb a mountain. Sometimes you have to face challenges. I am sure we will make a success.

"We are in a direction, underneath I see good things and good stats that confirms we are in a good direction. But we see ranking that is not good enough."

Ten Hag has battled an injury crisis throughout much of the early part of the campaign, and could be missing up to seven players for the weekend, per Premier Injuries.

There was mixed news on that front in Ten Hag's meeting with the media, as he revealed the absence of Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire, the return of Noussair Mazraoui, and shared an update on the prognosis of two of the club's key defenders, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

"We can’t force their return," Ten Hag said of the left-backs.

"We have to do it very carefully. We want them as soon as possible and we need a left-back that’s for sure.

"But we don’t want to bring them back and lose them."

Ten Hag was also asked his view on England's appointment of Thomas Tuchel as their new manager.

"I think a very good choice from the FA," Ten Hag said. "He is a top-class manager, proved himself.

"England has world-class players. They have the opportunity to win big championships."

Ten Hag: We can’t match the standards Ferguson set

Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassador role at the club has been axed as Ineos continue to deploy further cost-cutting measures.

The legendary Scotsman, who spent 27 years in the hot seat at Old Trafford and won 13 League titles, was the last manager to lead Man Utd to Premier League success in 2013.

Current boss Ten Hag admitted that Ferguson’s official departure will have “an impact” on the club, but revealed that he will still be on hand to offer advice.

"He built Man United to where the club is now, it impacts us,” Ten Hag said. “But on the other side we also know, and Sir Alex knows, he wants to see a winning Man United.

“I'm sure he's always available for every advice and we will need him definitely in the short term, as we did in the last two and a half years."

Sir Alex Ferguson and Erik ten Hag

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United have endured a rocky spell since their last top-flight triumph, where they have finished second on two occasions, but also settled for sixth, seventh and eighth-place finishes.

Despite their underwhelming league form, in that time they have claimed two FA Cup titles and two League Cup trophies, while they have also tasted UEFA Europa League success.

The Red Devils won two of those domestic cups in Ten Hag’s first couple of seasons in charge, where he ended a five-year trophyless spell.

"At the moment we can't match the standards [Ferguson] set but still we won trophies,” Ten Hag explained.

"Remember, six years before this club didn't win trophies so we are coming back, we are returning.

"But it is also obvious that we are not there but it is very important we need all the processes right and that we can construct a team that we can line up the best players to construct the best teams."

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