Erik ten Hag tells Man United's owners they won't sack him 'if they have common sense' in a brazen press conference - and says he 'doesn't care' if they give him a vote of confidence

Erik ten Hag believes commonsense will prevail when Manchester United’s owners come to decide his future as manager.

Ten Hag is under pressure with just three Premier League games and the FA Cup final left to play 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 claims that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos will understand the chronic injury problems in defence when they sit down to assess his performance at the end of the season.

Asked if the Van Gaal precedent worries concerns him, Ten Hag said: ‘No, I think they (the owners) have commonsense. They seen when you have 32 different back lines, when you lose eight centre backs, when we see we don't have a left full-back, they know that will have a negative impact on results.

‘But we are still fighting and it's a huge FA Cup final. We are still there, it can be a highlight of the season but we know why we are under-performing.

'I am a realistic person, I see this, I analyse and no team will perform with these injuries.’ 

Ten Hag was also asked if it would help end the speculation over his future if Ratcliffe gave him a public show of support.

‘You have to make this question to the owners, not to me,’ he replied.

‘That's my job (to face the media). I take responsibility for that to speak to you. That is why I am the manager, to give the answers.

'I don't care if they do or they don't, I'm working on improving and developing my team, that is my job here.’