Erik ten Hag has told Man United owners they won’t sack him ‘if they use common sense’ in a cheeky press conference – and says he ‘don’t care’ if they give him a vote of confidence

Erik ten Hag believes common sense will prevail when Manchester United’s owners decide his future as manager.

Ten Hag are under pressure with just three Premier League games and the FA Cup final remaining this season. United face title contenders Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Dutchman is well aware that his compatriot Louis van Gaal was sacked by United despite winning the FA Cup in 2016, but he says Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos will understand the chronic injury problems in defense when they sit down to assess his performance in the championship. end of season.

Asked if Van Gaal’s precedent concerns him, Ten Hag replied: “No, I think they (the owners) have common sense. They saw when we have 32 different back lines, when we lose eight central defenders, when we see that we don’t have a left back, they know that it will have a negative impact on the results.

“But we’re still fighting and it’s a huge FA Cup final. We’re still here, it can be a highlight of the season but we know why we’re underperforming.

The Dutchman’s hope is that Sir Jim Ratcliffe will understand the problems he has had in defence.

“I’m a realistic person, I see it, I analyze it and no team will perform well with these injuries.”

Ten Hag was also asked if it would help end speculation about his future if Ratcliffe publicly gave him his support.

“You need to ask the owners that question, not me,” he replied.

But he was not worried about suffering the same fate as former United boss Louis van Gaal.

The United manager said he “didn’t care” if the club publicly showed their support for him.

“It’s my job (to face the media). I take responsibility to talk to you. That’s why I’m the manager, to give the answers.

“I don’t care if they do it or not, I work on the improvement and development of my team, that’s my job here.”