Man United News

He now has four but he scored many other goals. He scored three at the World Cup, so then he has the potential to score those numbers of goals in the Premier League.”

United resumed their season with a professional 2-0 win over Championship leaders Burnley to progress to the quarter-finals of the League Cup and their league campaign restarts against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.

Although they are still five games shy of the halfway point, United are fifth in the table and three points off the final Champions League place with a game in hand.

January is set to be a crucial month, with a potential two-legged League Cup semi-final if United overcome League One Charlton Athletic, as many as three FA Cup games, and league fixtures at home to Manchester City and away at leaders Arsenal.

Ten Hag declined to grade his own half-term report. “I’m happy I don’t have to do that, I leave that to others!

“I don’t give myself a grade. I give the best every day, the best I have. I want to see every day a better version of myself, so that is what I can promise to everyone here, internally at United, and to the fans. I am confident we will get it in the right process and the progress will come. That is the statement and answer you have to do.

“You can always do better. When you are satisfied it brings you to laziness and I don’t want that. For me, good is not good enough, we have to do better – that also counts for the manager.”