Erik ten Hag issues defiant five-word response to speculation over his future at Man United boss insists he will speak with board after 0-0 Aston Villa stalemate

Erik ten Hag insists he has the full backing of the Manchester United board after leading his side to a drab 0-0 draw at Aston Villa in front of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The Dutchman was under huge pressure ahead of this game after Ratcliffe failed to offer him full support in midweek, saying that a decision on Ten Hag’s future was ‘not my call’.

This result is unlikely to mean Ten Hag is out of the woods. United are 14th in the table heading into the international break and Ratcliffe will surely not have been thrilled by what he saw – yet Ten Hag remains defiant.

Asked whether Ratcliffe and his advisors back him, Ten Hag said: ‘I don’t have any idea that’s different because [otherwise] they should have told me. We communicate very openly. It’s very transparent.

‘We are all on board together, on one page. We know what we are working through is a long-term process. I speak continually with them. After the game I have to do my job – talking to the players, managing the players and answering questions from the media.

Erik ten Hag insists he has the full backing of the Manchester United board after a goalless draw at Villa Park

Ten Hag has been facing intense scrutiny over his position ahead of the international break with club chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe (right) watching on at Villa Park

United’s players held on to secure a point at Villa Park but struggled to carve out chances

‘But we always talk every week. I would say we talk every day so I expect I will speak to them.’

If Old Trafford bosses keep faith with Ten Hag, his priority will be to sort out his side’s problems in front of goal.

United drew 3-3 at Porto in the Europa League last week but they have gone three games without a goal in the Premier League and have failed to score in four of their last five matches.

United’s leadership board made a public showing at Villa Park as they continue to assess performances

Ten Hag underlined his side’s improvement at the back after their fourth clean sheet of the campaign but is now worried about the fitness of Harry Maguire, who was injured at the end of the first half and left Villa Park in a protective boot.

‘In the opponent’s box we have to be more ruthless, clinical and show more killer instinct,’ he added.