Erik ten Hag claimed he still has the backing of Manchester United’s top brass after his struggling side drew 0-0 with Aston Villa, while Tottenham Hotspur squandered a two-goal advantage in a shocking 3-2 loss to Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday.
Ten Hag is battling to keep his job after United’s poor start to the Premier League season, but their latest lacklustre showing did little to suggest he can change course.
United skipper Bruno Fernandes struck the crossbar with a second-half free-kick, but the away team needed Diogo Dalot to block Jaden Philogene’s shot to avoid a crushing defeat.
After ending last season in eighth — their worst finish since 1990 — United are stuck in 14th place so far this term with just two wins in their first seven league matches.
Ten Hag’s squad have gone five games without a victory in all competitions since beating League One side Barnsley in the League Cup.
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe stopped short of guaranteeing Ten Hag’s position on Friday, admitting the club isn’t where he wants it to be.
The British tycoon, who watched from the stands at Villa Park alongside his group of advisers and former manager Alex Ferguson, will hardly have been convinced that the Dutchman is the right person to lift United out of their slump.
However, Ten Hag remains sure he’ll be given time to turn things around after winning the FA Cup last season and the League Cup in his first year.
“We always talk, we speak every week. We’re all on the same page, working together,” Ten Hag said when asked if he planned to speak with Ratcliffe and his team. “We know what we’re working towards, it’s a long-term project and we must keep improving the process.
“We’ve shown in two very tough away games that this is a team with togetherness and spirit, but also belief and faith in themselves.”
At the Amex Stadium, Brennan Johnson put Tottenham ahead after 25 minutes with a sharp strike from Dominic Solanke’s pass. It was the Welsh forward’s sixth goal in his last six outings.
James Maddison doubled Tottenham’s lead in the 37th minute as the midfielder’s shot slipped past Bart Verbruggen’s weak save attempt.
But Yankuba Minteh cut the deficit with a close-range blast after Destiny Udogie’s poor clearance in the 48th minute. Georginio Rutter evaded three Tottenham defenders to convert Kaoru Mitoma’s 58th minute pass with a cool finish from 12 yards.
And Tottenham’s collapse was complete eight minutes later when Danny Welbeck was left unmarked to head home from Rutter’s cross.
Tottenham’s third loss in seven league matches sparked fresh debate about manager Ange Postecoglou’s unwillingness to adjust his attacking style, as their defensive weaknesses were ruthlessly exploited.
Earlier, Noni Madueke’s leveller saved Chelsea in a 1-1 draw with 10-man Nottingham Forest, ending the Blues’ five-game winning streak.
Enzo Maresca’s team fell behind to Chris Wood’s goal early in the second half at Stamford Bridge.
England winger Madueke pulled Chelsea level, but the hosts couldn’t find a winner despite their numerical advantage late on.
Forest played the final 12 minutes with 10 men after James Ward-Prowse’s dismissal.
Chelsea had won their previous three league games — and five in all competitions — raising hopes that Maresca could be the one to lift the west London club out of their prolonged slump.
The draw with Forest was a setback, but Chelsea still enter the international break fourth in the Premier League table.
In Saturday’s late fixture, Newcastle United missed the chance to climb into the top four as they drew 0-0 at Everton — former Everton player Anthony Gordon having a spot-kick saved by Jordan Pickford. Newcastle remained sixth while Everton stayed 16th.
