Erik ten Hag insists it's a 'matter of time' before Manchester United show their 'true selves' and find form

Erik ten Hag insists it won't be long before Manchester United turn their season around.

The Man Utd manager has come in for criticism after a run of six defeats in their last 11 matches, including a 3-0 defeat at the hands of rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday.

They already sit eight points off the race for a place in the top four, while they are also scrambling to reach the knock-out rounds of the Champions League after group-stage defeats to Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.

Ten Hag is certain they will come good though, telling United Review: "While this has not been the start to the season that we had all hoped for, I am certain that we have the talent and attitude as a collective to move in the right direction.

"I believe that it is only a matter of time before we are showing our true selves. It will come, I am certain."

Next up for United is a re-run of last season's Carabao Cup final, as they host Newcastle United at the fourth-round stage.

The Red Devils came out on top when the two teams met at Wembley in March, with Casemiro and Marcus Rashford on target in a 2-0 victory.

Recent history suggests the competition might signal a return to form for United, as they have won their last six games in the Carabo Cup without conceding a single goal.

Ten Hag is hopeful of continuing that run, adding: “There is no point in feeling sorry for ourselves at this moment in time.

“Nobody at this club enjoys defeat, particularly in a Manchester derby like last Sunday, but everything we have achieved together so far has been built on looking forward, which means we have to move on quickly from what happens, whether it is positive or negative.

“We have never spent too long enjoying our victories, so we will not spend too much time thinking about our losses. We must always look forward, together.

“I continue to believe in these players and am confident we will improve after a difficult start to the season.

"Our focus moves back to the Carabao Cup and a reminder of how well we did to win this competition last season.

"Our game management throughout that cup run, especially in the final against Newcastle, showed our ability to rise to big occasions."

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