Erik ten Hag has urged Manchester United to stick together as they try to weather a storm following four defeats in five games.

United have lost three in a row and go to Burnley on Saturday night in danger of suffering four straight defeats for the first time since Louis van Gaal‘s second season in 2015.

Ten Hag insists that the key to turning the corner after such a poor start to the season is maintaining unity.

Asked if he is surprised by the scale of the challenge, he replied: ‘No. It’s my second year. I know it’s not always going up, you will have your gaps and you get stronger from it as long as you stay together.

‘That’s what we’re doing. The dressing-room, all the staff, coaches, medical, everyone is united and at United you fight.’

There have been concerns over dressing-room leaks about squad unrest at Old Trafford, but Ten Hag added: ‘I don’t know if it’s a leak but I know opinion, I know my players. Everyone can make suggestions, we are okay with it.’

United go to Turf Moor desperately in need of a win to lift morale. ‘At United, you have to win every game so it doesn’t change anything,’ said Ten Hag.

‘As always, it’s about how we play against Burnley. There’s no easy games, definitely not against Burnley. We know how intense they play football, we know their approach. I like the approach from them, the adventure, high intensity and dynamic in their game, so we have to play our best.’

Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for all the latest news and updates from Old Trafford on Tuesday. 

Man United winger Jadon Sancho has contradicted Erik ten Hag‘s claims that he was left out of the squad for Sunday’s clash with Arsenal due to ‘his training performance.’

The 23-year-old has struggled to kick-of at Old Trafford since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, scoring just 12 goals. 

There have been previous attitude and fitness complaints against him, but Sancho has contradicted ten Hag’s recent comments in the strongest terms. 

In a post on social media, he said: ‘Please don’t believe everything you read! I will not allow people saying things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself in training very well this week. 

‘I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t go into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time which isn’t fair!

‘All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to my team. I respect all decisions that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players and grateful to do so which I know every week is a challenge.

‘I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what!’

More to follow. 

Rasmus Hojlund has revealed that the opportunity to work with Erik ten Hag was a big factor behind his move to Manchester United.

The Denmark striker has secured a £72million move from Atalanta and described ten Hag as ‘one of the best coaches in the world’.

Hojlund says that after talking to ten Hag he was convinced that joining United would be ‘perfect’ for his development and he is relishing the opportunity to work under the Dutchman.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Hojlund said : ‘Once I had spoken to the manager, I knew that this environment would be perfect for my development; I am relishing the opportunity to work with one of the best coaches in the world. Under his guidance and support I know that I am capable of achieving great things together with my new teammates at this special club.’

The 20-year-old was unveiled at Old Trafford on Saturday ahead of the pre-season friendly against Lens and says he is ready to make the step up and make an impact at United. 

Hojlund added that it has been his dream since he was a small boy to walk out of the tunnel at Old Trafford.

He said: ’It is no secret that I have been a fan of this great club since I was a small boy, and I dreamed of walking out at Old Trafford as a Manchester United player. I am incredibly excited by this opportunity to turn that dream into a reality, and I am determined to repay the faith that the club has shown in me. 

‘It is still early in my career, but I know that I am ready to make this step up and play with this group of world-class players.’

Hojlund has scored six goals in just six appearances for Denmark.

After starting his senior career at Copenhagen, he earned a move to Sturm Graz, for whom he scored 12 goals in 21 games.

Hojlund then found the net ten times in 34 appearances for Atalanta. 

In addition to Hojlund, United have also signed Mason Mount and Andre Onana.