LONDON: Erik ten Hag defiantly slammed “fairy tales and lies” about his Manchester United future as the under-fire boss insisted he is not in danger of the sack.
Ten Hag is widely believed to be in a fight to save his job after presiding over United’s worst start to a top-flight season since 1989-90.
United are languishing in 14th place in the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s visit from Brentford, whose manager Thomas Frank has been linked with replacing the Dutchman at Old Trafford.
Without a victory in their last five games in all competitions, Ten Hag’s side have won just twice in seven league matches this term.
Another flop against Brentford will pile further pressure on Ten Hag ahead of a tricky week featuring away games at Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in the Europa League and West Ham in the Premier League.
But the former Ajax boss is convinced he retains the support of United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his coterie of advisers.
“Noise is only coming from some of you in the media, creating stories and fairy tales, and bringing lies,” Ten Hag told reporters on Friday.
“I told this before the break. Several journalists probably didn’t believe me because I see the reports.
“But internal in the club it’s quiet. Of course, we are discussing, that we are unhappy with the position where we are and how we have to turn the corner, what has to happen, so what should be strategy to turn this corner.
“But ultimately we are quiet, we are composed, we stay where we are, we stick to the plan, and we are very convinced we will make it a success.”
United finished a dismal eighth in the Premier League last season, their lowest final position since 1990, triggering a Ratcliffe-led internal review into Ten Hag’s position.
But the 54-year-old eventually signed a new contract in a move seen as a show of faith during the close season.
Ten Hag won the League Cup in his first season to end United’s six-year trophy drought, then lifted the FA Cup last term in a shock final triumph against Manchester City that is credited with saving his job.
However, the embattled Ten Hag is once again engaged in a struggle to stave off the axe.
United’s inconsistent form during his reign shows no signs of improving and he acknowledged the climb back to respectability would not be easy.
“We have to climb a mountain. That is top football and sometimes you have to face challenges. I am sure we will make a success, as we did the last two seasons,” he said.
“Underneath I see good things and good stats that confirm we are in a good direction. But of course the ranking is not lying. We are where we are and that is not good enough.”
Former Manchester United assistant coach Benni McCarthy added to the scrutiny on Ten Hag recently when he said the players’ training ground performances are not replicated during matches.
Ten Hag conceded United have lacked a cutting edge during a run featuring just five goals in seven league games.
“The players did well. We won last season. Sometimes in general the players do perform well. But we have to start scoring,” he said.
“In that part we have to improve entering the final third and into the box. Now we have to take the most important step.”

MADRID: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Friday the club’s French striker Kylian Mbappe “seems unaffected to me” after Swedish media reported he is being investigated for an alleged rape during a visit to Stockholm.
Mbappe’s lawyer said this week the France captain was “shocked” to see his name linked to the investigation and he will take action for libel.
The forward was not selected by France for UEFA Nations League matches after an injury and visited the Swedish capital with a group of people last week.
“In this moment (the reports) are speculations, I see him working every day, he is happy, content, he doesn’t seem affected to me at all,” Ancelotti told a news conference.
“He’s looking forward to keep on helping the team.”
Ancelotti said Mbappe, 25, had been given time off by the Spanish and European champions.
“The days off were set for him and beyond that, individuals can choose what they want to do,” explained Ancelotti.
“I don’t care where players prefer to rest. I went to London for a couple of days and didn’t ask anybody.
“I also don’t have a travel agency to organize trips for players.”
A Swedish prosecutor has confirmed that an investigation has been opened, without naming Mbappe.
Mbappe claimed in a post on X on Monday there was a link between the report and a hearing before a French league committee on Tuesday over his bitter dispute with his former club Paris Saint-Germain over what he says is 55 million euros ($60 million) in unpaid wages.
“FAKE NEWS !!!!. It’s becoming so predictable, on the eve of the hearing, as if by chance,” he wrote.
Mbappe completed a dream move to join Madrid in the summer after seven years at PSG.
The striker scored five goals in his first seven La Liga appearances before suffering a thigh injury.
Mbappe made a quicker-than-expected recovery but France did not select him for their games against Belgium and Israel, earning the forward criticism in his homeland.
Madrid, three points behind leaders Barcelona, visit Celta Vigo on Saturday with Mbappe expected to start for Los Blancos.
Ancelotti said the superstar attacker looks a “different player” after doing some fitness work during the international break.
“Mbappe took advantage of this break to improve his condition, recover from injuries... he’s doing very well, happy and looking forward to playing tomorrow,” continued Ancelotti.
“This fortnight has helped him a lot — he’s a different player than he was from before the break.”