Ten Hag refuses to answer question on United's 'worst season'

Erik ten Hag refused to entertain a question about potentially overseeing Manchester United's worst Premier League season and has not given up on Champions League qualification.

Seventh-placed United suffered another setback in an underwhelming campaign after requiring a Bruno Fernandes brace to scrape a scarcely-deserved 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.

United have never finished below their current position since the league’s inception in 1992.

"I don’t comment on that question," replied Ten Hag as he walked out of his post-match press conference when asked about the prospect of ending below seventh place.

"That is not important at the moment."

Ten Hag’s men were tormented by impressive Bournemouth for much of an uninspiring outing at Vitality Stadium and twice trailed in the first half following goals from Cherries pair Dominic Solanke and Justin Kluivert.

United, who have a lengthy injury list, particularly in defence, sit 10 points adrift of the top four with only six games remaining on the back of just one win from seven matches.

Asked if the Champions League places were now beyond his team, Ten Hag replied: "No. I didn’t say that.

"We give what we can but I am also realistic, so when the full squad was there, I still would have said I believe.

"But we will keep fighting with the players who are available and you can see there is high potential.

"But also young players they make mistakes. They have proved they can compete with the best teams on the highest level but now they have to do it consistently. There is always the next step for young players."

Solanke and Kluivert each capitalised on passive United defending to fire beyond Andre Onana, while Bournemouth also missed a host of first-half chances and struck the crossbar through