Erik ten Hag speaks out on Ineos silence over Manchester United manager role

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has suggested it would be in everyone's interests for new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to provide clarity on his position.

The Ineos Group that Ratcliffe is chairman of has declined to offer public assurances that Ten Hag will remain in charge of United beyond the end of the season.

United have suffered a Premier League era record 13 defeats and could record their lowest top-flight finish in 34 years if they remain in eighth.

Should United fail to break into the top seven and not win the FA Cup, they will not participate in any European competition next season. United were ejected from the Champions League at the group stage in December.

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"This question: you have to make to the owners, not to me," Ten Hag said regarding uncertainty surrounding his future. "Once again, you have to make this question - it is your opinion - and you have to make this question to them, not to me.

"That's my job (to speak at press conferences). I take responsibility for that to speak to you. That is why I am the manager - to give the answers.

"I don't care if they do or they don't, I'm working on improving and developing my team, that is my job here."

United's previous Dutch manager, Louis van Gaal, was sacked two days after the club's last FA Cup victory in 2016 and there is a chance history could repeat itself with Ten Hag.

The incumbent United manager highlighted United's injury issues once again and the number of different back fours he has had to select this season. Ten United defenders are currently unavailable through injury and ineligibility as three