Erik ten Hag insists he IS developing a clear playing style at Man United

Erik ten Hag has insisted he is developing a clear playing style at Manchester United with INEOS looking to establish a new game model at Old Trafford.

Boss Ten Hag has found himself under mounting pressure with United on course to miss out on Champions League football next season and the new regime, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are said to be assessing whether he would fit into this project.

Ratcliffe has yet to issue a public display of support for the embattled coach and it is thought a decision over his future will be made at the end of the season.

United's new technical director Jason Wilcox has been given the task of introducing the new game model, as reported by The Telegraph. As part of this process, Wilcox will also inform decision-makers whether Ten Hag would be suited to these plans.

However, in the first sign of potential friction between Ten Hag and the INEOS-led hierarchy, the manager has outlined his belief that United are already benefiting from a unified philosophy stretching across the academy and the first-team.

'Strengthening the pathway between the academy and the first team was one of my priorities when I came to the club, working together with Darren Fletcher as the connector and [academy director] Nick Cox and his staff to develop a shared game model, with consistent training methods and playing styles,' Ten Hag said.

'We are seeing the results of that this season, with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo becoming important parts of the first team, and several others competing to join them.

'A top club can never succeed with homegrown players alone, but they will always be an important part of Manchester United.

'Ethan [Wheatley] can be proud to become the latest part of that story and others who show the