Erik ten Hag convinced of succeeding at Manchester United as he defends Lisandro Martinez

Erik ten Hag remains convinced he will succeed at Manchester United despite losing both of his first two matches in charge. Ten Hag became the first United manager since John Chapman in 1921 to lose his first two matches and defeat to Liverpool on Monday night would equal Chapman's unfavourable start.

United have not lost their first three fixtures of a new season since 1986 and Ron Atkinson was sacked as manager three months later to be replaced by Alex Ferguson.

"For me personally, that's never the issue," Ten Hag said. "I'm not here for myself, I'm here for the club and to restore the club.

Also read: Ten Hag explains decision to haul in players for training on day off

"I knew before this is a challenge and I wanted this challenge. I knew before it was going to be hard but I wanted that because in my career, everywhere I started, the start was difficult but I get it done, and I'm convinced I get it done here as well.

"Therefore I choose this project, I knew it's a process and I will stay consistent to the philosophy and to the plan we had, and I keep confidence in the cooperation I have in the players and also the team around, the coaches and the directors.

"I made that conclusion already that it could be (a difficult start). But you also see the potential of this team in pre-season, so now we have to work together to get the good performances back on the pitch."

Ten Hag hooked £55.3million signing Lisandro Martinez at half-time with United 4-0 down at Brentford last week but the centre-back could keep his place for the visit of Liverpool as Ten Hag is considering dropping Harry Maguire, with Raphael Varane expected to come in for his first start of the season.

Ten Hag coached Martinez for two years at Ajax and