Erik ten Hag has brushed off the constant speculation about his future, saying he 'doesn't care' about talk of being sacked or Manchester United’s interest in Gareth Southgate.
United have had a tough season with Ten Hag as the leader, with the club sitting in sixth place in the Premier League table – 17 points behind leaders Arsenal – before their trip to Brentford this weekend.
The Red Devils also had their worst ever Champions League exit, finishing at the bottom of their group with only one win, and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup after a poor fourth-round loss to Newcastle.
With only ten games left in the top-flight campaign, there are serious doubts about Ten Hag’s future, with the 54-year-old yet to receive a public show of support from United’s new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The Dutchman’s position is likely dependent on United’s success, or lack thereof, in getting Champions League football and the team’s progress in this year’s FA Cup.
Recent reports INEOS had identified England head coach Southgate as their main managerial target if results worsen in the latter part of the season.
And while Southgate, whose Three Lions contract ends in December, has called the links ‘completely disrespectful’, the rumors are likely to continue as long as United are outside the Champions League spots.
'When you are working at Manchester United, there will always be noise, rumors around the club, the team, the manager, and the players,' Ten Hag said when asked about the ongoing speculation at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
'But we are focusing on the process and on the team to play better to improve the way of play.
'I was trained at Ajax and it was similar. When you are working in top football, you get used to it.
'So we don’t care. Players don’t care. I don’t care. We are together in the boat and we know we have to perform and get the right results.'
United could move to within three points of Tottenham with victory over Brentford and Ten Hag has been boosted by the impending return of Lisandro Martinez, who could feature at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Argentina international has missed United’s last seven matches in all competitions after suffering a medial collateral ligament injury in the side’s 3-0 victory over West Ham.
'Yes, there is a chance [he will be back in squad],' Ten Hag responded when asked for an update on Martinez’s fitness.
'We have missed him every game because he brings a composure in the team, a calmness in the team.'
'At the same time, a winning attitude and he can express this very clearly.'
'He can transfer that into the team and that contributes a lot to our levels.'
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