Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will hope a battling draw at Aston Villa will relieve the fierce scrutiny of his position.
The club’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was in attendance at Villa Park to see United at least show some of the resilience that was missing in the collapse at home to Tottenham and the defensive solidity lacking in Porto in the Europa League.
Ten Hag turned to the veteran duo of Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans to add some steel, although he lost the England defender to injury right on half-time.
Marcus Rashford twice tested Villa keeper Emi Martinez while United captain Bruno Fernandes came closest with a second half free-kick that bounced back off the bar at the Holte End. Substitute Antony also forced Martinez into an acrobatic save from long range.
United keeper Andre Onana was relatively untroubled, although he did well to athletically push away a power drive from Villa midfield man Youri Tielemans.
Ten Hag must now hope Ratcliffe and the rest of United’s watching hierarchy saw enough to keep faith with the Dutchman, although this draw means they are still five games without a win.
Erik ten Hag feels Manchester United’s hierarchy would have told him if his job was under threat.
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was at Villa Park for the 0-0 Premier League draw with Aston Villa, played against mounting pressure on Ten Hag for a run that now extends to five matches without a win, including the woeful three-goal home defeat by Tottenham a week ago.
Ratcliffe was emotionless on the final whistle, with the only noticeable interaction from the travelling executives a conversation between chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth following a game that leaves United 14th in the table.
Ten Hag said he had not spoken to any of them between the end of the game and carrying out his media duties.
Asked if he was confident United’s hierarchy was solidly behind him, Ten Hag said: “I don’t have any idea that is different because they should have told me. We communicate – very open, very transparent.
“I would say every day we talk, so I expect I will speak with them.”
On the external noise around his future, the Dutchman added: “You said it very good – external noise. Internal, we are disappointed. We know we have to do better. Especially, we need to score more.”
Speaking to Sky Sports earlier, Ten Hag said everyone at the club was “on one page” and “all on board together”.
He added: “We know what we are working through, it’s a long-term process.
“We have come through two very tough away games. This is a team, we showed the belief and faith we have.”
