The lifeless 1-0 loss at Newcastle on Saturday was their 10th in 21 matches in all competitions, prompting criticism and pressure on Ten Hag.

Erik ten Hag advised critics to look at his track record as the under-fire manager talked with conviction about being the perfect man to help floundering Manchester United achieve their goals.

After winning the Carabao Cup, reaching the FA Cup final, and finishing third in the Premier League in his first season, everything have gone wrong in his second.

The lifeless 1-0 loss at Newcastle on Saturday evening was their 10th defeat in just 21 matches in all competitions, prompting criticism, scrutiny, and pressure to rise on manager Ten Hag.

According to reports, the Dutchman has lost the trust of some players, with reservations over style and tactics referenced in pieces that resulted in the exclusion of four media outlets from Tuesday’s press conference.

United were outraged at not being given the opportunity to respond to the reports that Ten Hag dismissed as he came out fighting and preaching unity before hosting Chelsea.

“There will always be difficult times in every journey,” United manager David Moyes remarked. “We’re on the right track.

“I am confident that we will arrive at our destination.” Because – look at my track record.

“Everywhere where I was, every season, I got my targets, so if we stick together, stick to the plan and the strategy, we will get where we want to be.”

Ten Hag had managed Go Ahead Eagles, Bayern Munich II, and Utrecht before establishing himself at Ajax and winning a move to Manchester.

During his stint in command of the Dutch giants, the 53-year-old won three league titles and led them to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.

Tottenham stopped that historic run, and Ten Hag will face Mauricio Pochettino for the first time since, with the goal of beating him to the United job when Chelsea comes to town.

Ten Hag responded to a question on the realistic timetable for bringing United to where they want to go ahead of Wednesday’s Old Trafford match, saying, “First of all, I can’t say in this club we are waiting for two, three years.”

“This club’s goal, demand, and standards should be to win every game, so we go into every game with that goal in mind.”

“I expect my team and my players to win every game.” It makes no difference who the opponent is, and I will stick to that. That got us a long way last year.

“We finished third in the league, reached the FA Cup final – and could have won it – and won the Carabao Cup.”

“That mindset.” I don’t want to modify this since it will result in a cultural decline.

“That means, yeah, there is a high standard on me, and me together with the team, so it’s also high standards on the players, and I don’t make compromises on that.”

United’s attitude has been called into question as much as the team’s cohesiveness this season, but Ten Hag feels he has the players’ complete support as the season winds down.

“Oh yeah, I never had the idea they don’t (back me) because I know they would have dropped me against Fulham or Burnley if it was the other situation,” stated the man in charge of the Red Devils.

“If the situation was not right, if the environment was not right, and that’s not the case.”

Ten Hag made an eye-catching observation, referring to crucial 1-0 victory at Burnley and Fulham, both of which came after a difficult period for the team.

United must now avoid an 11th defeat when the Blues arrive on Wednesday, as the manager seeks to boost standards and “build on the foundations.”

“Of course, negativity is never good,” continued Ten Hag. “You have to be careful not to kill the energy.”

“But I don’t mind because I know, and all the players know, that if we’re the biggest club in the world, or one of the biggest clubs, you get a lot of attention.”

“You know that when results aren’t going your way and you’re not performing as well as you should, criticism will come your way, and you’ll have to deal with it.”

“We’re all in this together.” There’s no way you’re by yourself there. You’re all in the same boat. We are aware of this, and we will address it together.”