Erik ten Hag insists Man Utd 'project is going in the right direction' as Red Devils boss bemoans rotten injury luck this season

The Red Devils are now on a two-game losing streak in the league and have fallen 11 points short of the top four after 27 games this season. Ten Hag's position is now under strain due to the team's performances and given the addition of new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but the Dutchman has reported that he is pleased with the club's direction under his leadership.

Speaking to the media ahead of the game, the Dutchman said [via Manchester Evening News]: "The project is going in the right direction when we have the players available. Top football is about winning games and we're working, keep working on better performances. We want to play to maximum levels and we will have to do it with the players available, who are good players. In key positions you miss players who have a very high impact on the way we want to play.

"We want to be successful, we need to be successful, but sometimes seasons are going like we are now in but we don't accept that. We will fight, we have had problems and still have problems with the squad injury-wise. But with the players we have available we will fight, and we go into every game - it doesn't matter who is the opposition - we go for the win.

"It [his win percentage] tells that we are in the right direction. So imagine we had many more players available and we had not so many setbacks and injuries, it could easily have been 75 wins and that tells the bright future of this team when players are available. When you compare it with other managers, other teams in a building stage, or previous managers in this big club then you can see there is a bright future.

"It is a good balance in ages in this squad. Young players, middle-aged players, experienced players together. Imagine when they are available, it could easily have won 75 from 100 games. It is a big difference with the stats you mentioned."

Omari Forson's absence from United's match against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday marks the 48th time that a player has missed a match for the Red Devils due to an injury or illness. This season's disappointments mark a decide change from last season, when Ten Hag led United to their first trophy in nearly six years in the League Cup. They also finished third in the Premier League standings and advanced to the FA Cup final, falling to defeat to treble-winners City.

Ten Hag will lead his side out against Sean Dyche's Everton in Saturday's early kick-off at Old Trafford as they look to end their two-game losing streak in the league. A win could see them close the gap on fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who are currently six points away.