Senior Manchester United players have backed Erik ten Hag to turn things around at Old Trafford despite their poor start to the season, according to a report.

Having saved his job last term with a dramatic FA Cup final victory, the Dutchman is under intense pressure at the start of 2023/24 after investing heavily in the summer transfer window. They are 13th in the Premier League after a dismal 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and were held to a draw in their Europa League opener with FC Twente.

The Red Devils attracted heavy criticism for their lifeless display at Old Trafford at the weekend but Ten Hag is expected to remain in charge for the short-term ahead of fixtures with Porto and Aston Villa.

He has also received backing from some of United’s most experienced players, according to The Telegraph, with most of the squad thought to believe the current problems plaguing them can be resolved.

An intense post-mortem saw former United stars like Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand slam the team for their performance against Spurs, during which captain was sent off for a challenge on James Maddison.

The Portugal international has since had his red card overturned on appeal, meaning he will be available for Sunday’s trip to Villa Park.

There looked to be green shoots of recovery when United won at Southampton and battered Barnsley in mid September after consecutive losses to Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool. However, they failed to convert quality chances into goals in a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace before their draw with Twente and defeat to Tottenham.

On Thursday they face a Porto side tipped as one of the favourites to win the Europa League. However, the Portuguese giants were beaten in their first game, slipping to a 3-2 defeat at Bodo/Glimt.

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