Erik ten Hag insists he is still the right man for the Man Utd job Credit: PA

They are seventh in the Premier League, bottom of their Champions League Group and already out the Carabao Cup.

But Ten Hag said: “There will always be tough times in every journey.

“We are in the right direction. I know we will get there, where we want to be.

“Because – see my record. Everywhere where I was, every season, I got my targets.

“If we stick together, stick to the plan and the strategy, we will get where we want to be.”

Ten Hag was a winner at Ajax and had a successful first season in charge of United finishing third and reaching two domestic Cup Finals, lifting their first trophy in six years with the Carabao Cup.

But there has been a downturn this season that has brought questions over whether he has the backing of the dressing room.

Erik ten Hag believes his Manchester United players are still with him Credit: Reuters

United slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday Credit: Reuters

Ten Hag insists he has.

“Oh yes, I am sure,” Ten Hag said.

“You can see for instance the comeback against Brentford, the Burnley game, the Fulham game, every time the team is there and have shown great character, great determination, resilience so we are together.

“You can see you can’t play such great football as we did recently without unity.

“We had a week of two good performances and one bad performance so from there we carry on, the team is in a good direction.

“We played very good football, scored very good goals against Galatasaray and Everton.

Man Utd are undergoing a turbulent campaign under Ten Hag Credit: PA

“Against Newcastle we didn’t play great, we knew that, we were not happy with that performance, but we stayed in the game and had two good opportunities to get a point.”

“But we are not robots, if you play three games in six days, tough games and by the end the fatigue can be an issue.”

The body language of some players at St James’ was also an issue pointing to a sense of disunity with some players.

There are also those not in the team who are unhappy.

But Ten Hag said it was normal.

He said: “Of course there are always in every team players who are not playing, who are not as happy.

“That is normal, you have to wait for the chance and that can come but there are no issues.”

Ten Hag says that he has an open dialogue with all his players and some have challenged him over how the team plays and selections.

He said: “Maybe one or two. If the players have a different opinion of course I will listen.

“I listen always to my players and I give them always opportunities to speak.”

The Dutchman is feeling the heat after a poor start to the season Credit: EPA

Ten Hag pointed to good goals at Everton and Galatasaray to suggest the team are united Credit: AP