Erik ten Hag confirms imminent talks with INEOS after Man Utd's latest setback at Aston Villa - but under-fire Dutchman bizarrely insists his team are 'in a good direction'

United drew 0-0 at Villa to confirm their worst ever start to a Premier League season. The club have now taken just eight points from seven games, a tally that leaves them 14th in the table. They have won just one of their last five league encounters.

As a result of a terrible opening to the season, Ten Hag has accepted that he will need to speak with INEOS but has also, bizarrely, claimed that his side are moving in the right direction. Ten Hag was reportedly given two games to save his job, against Porto and Villa, but has seen United draw both, leaving his future up in the air.

Ten Hag was asked if INEOS' attendance at Villa was a concern and replied: "So I don’t have any idea that is different, because they should have told me. We communicate very open, very transparent.

"I speak continuously with them and just after the game I have to do my job, talk with the players, manage the players and answer questions from you. We always talk. Every week, I would say every day we talk, so I expect I will speak with them."

He added, to the BBC: "I think the performance of United was very good. Defending and in possession we controlled the game. We had that resilience, the whole season. We conceded three against Tottenham because we were down to 10 and we still went for the win. But for the rest this is our fourth clean sheet. This tells you we are in a good direction."

After the international break, United face Brentford on October 19. It remains to be seen if Ten Hag is in charge.