Erik ten Hag responds to "pressure" and intense scrutiny he's facing at Man Utd

When it comes to dealing with a mountain of problems, only the next Prime Minister can top Erik ten Hag's intray.

An opening defeat at home to Brighton, Cristiano Ronaldo wanting to leave, Paris St Germain targeting Marcus Rashford, an embarrassing U-turn over signing Marco Arnautovic and still no new striker and midfielder. Oh, and Michael Knighton is back to add to the feeling of crisis at United, laughably claiming he is making another takeover bid.

In just one week, all the positivity generated by United's good pre-season has been blown away and instead the club feels back where it was under Ralf Rangnick. To be fair to Ten Hag, he refuses to hide and says he accepts the intense scrutiny comes with the territory at United.

"I know there is always pressure," said the United boss. "I have the experience, I know how it is. I know we have to win every game. I know the fans and I know everyone expects Manchester United to win every game.

"We have to deal with that and all I can do is prepare the team as well as I can this weekend."

Having managed Holland's biggest club Ajax, Ten Hag understands the pressure that comes with managing a storied club like United, who have such a glorious past.

"I'm not saying it's always easy, but I think Man United stands for trophies and that has to be the standard that everyone has to accept," he said. "We cannot live with low standards because then we will not get back where we have to be."

Ten Hag's biggest issue this summer has been Ronaldo's desire to leave, although he claims "that's not what he is telling me". He insists the Portuguese star remains part of his plans and may start him at Brentford today after bringing him on against Brighton.

"In every press conference, we already confirmed that he is in our plans," he said. "We plan with him so we also plan around him.

"So I deal with the players we have and we plan with him for this season. We're happy with him and we have to fit him into the team so he has to come at the right fitness levels so that he can do the job that we expect him to do."

Ten Hag also claimed he and United's hierarchy are on the same page over transfers following the embarrassing U-turn over his desire to sign Arnautovic. United pulled out of the deal to sign the 33-year-old former West Ham and Stoke striker from Bologna because of a fans' backlash and the club have failed to land the striker and midfielder Ten Hag wants.

"We co-operate well and it's to my satisfaction," he said. "It's better to get the players in earlier because then you get them earlier in the process. In the departments of midfield and offence, you have seen when we have one injury then we have a problem. That's clear. But I'm happy."

Ten Hag has spent the week raking over United's 2-1 loss to Brighton and admits they have much work to do.

"I did after the Brighton game what I always go, I analysed the game, what went well, what went wrong, where we can improve," he said. "Football is a game of mistakes. We know we have to improve in many things, that is clear."