Erik ten Hag sends defiant message to Sir Jim Ratcliffe after Manchester United draw at Aston Villa | OneFootball

Beleaguered United boss insists his side are improving

Erik ten Hag was in a defiant mood as he insisted Manchester United were improving after their goalless draw with Aston Villa.

Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was in attendance at Villa Park to see the 0-0 draw alongside director Sir Dave Brailsford and CEO Omar Berrada.

Erik ten Hag saw his Manchester United side earn a point against Aston Villa

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“We are all on board together, on one page, we know what we are working through it's a long-term process.

"We have come through two very tough away games. This is a team, we showed the belief and faith we have."

Bruno Fernandes has United’s best chance of the game when he hit the bar with a free-kick in the second half.

Marcus Rashford also had some half-chances for United, but Ten Hag focused on his side’s defensive display.

"I think it's the fourth clean sheet this season,” he added. “You see we had a very good organisation and togetherness. There was good character and good spirit as a team. Determined, resilient.

"We almost didn't concede a chance, when you defend like this and get some luck, in the end they had a big chance but it was almost the only chance I think.

"We created some chances, also not so many chances. We hit the crossbar and also Rashford had chances. But the two teams were really balanced.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe watches on with Sir Dave Brailsford and Omar Berrada

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"In Porto our build-up was brilliant, so good in the first 25 minutes, we out-played Porto. Also Palace, in possession we were so good, we have had games this season where we are good. But today we didn't create too many chances, but also we played a great team.

"We create loads of chances in our seven games but we have to step up. We have to take into consideration Hojlund is returning, he's still coming up to full fitness. But others are stepping up. I was impressed from Rashford, also Garnacho is so good, and Antony at the end."

Rashford nearly saw red for a second yellow offence which prompted Ten Hag to take him off.

“Yes that was one of the reasons to take him off,” the Dutchman said. “If it was another foul probably he would be sent off. We can't take another risk."

On Harry Maguire’s injury, the United boss added: “He didn't feel well after half-time so I had to take him off.

"We know in this moment we have a lack of goals, in that perspective it's not a good start, we have to step up. That's an area we have to improve. But we have four clean sheets. That's good because we have to defend proper."