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Erik ten Hag names two players who can help Manchester United and gives Kobbie Mainoo update

There has been speculation that defeat to fifth-placed Villa could signal the end of Ten Hag's reign. United are 13th in the Premier League table, lost back-to-back home league games 3-0 to Liverpool and Tottenham and they have won one of their past ten European ties.

Ten Hag refused to dwell on his own future ahead of the biggest game of his tenure.

"I'm not thinking about such issues because that is not a topic," Ten Hag reiterated. "We are in there together. The ownership, the leadership, the team, the staff. I appointed new staff.

"We bought again new young players and we have to integrate them. Like we just talked about Manu Ugarte. So the six position was absolutely one of the topics we want to sign for this season, but he needs time to integrate.

"I know in top football you don't get time, they have to perform immediately, but that's not always realistic. He has to get used to our game model, he has to get used to his teammates, he has to get used to the intensity of the Premier League. So it needs time.

"We have more positions where we need time. I'm very pleased with the return of Rasmus Hojlund. I think he had a good return, but we couldn't play him in the first two months of the season. Hopefully he is now fit. He keeps improving in his fitness levels and that he also has a consistent fit season that will help us.

"There are more areas where we will improve, definitely, and then this team can grow and improve. And then we will see where we will end in the end of the season."

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