Facing criticism and media reports suggesting a loss of support within the Manchester United dressing room, manager Erik ten Hag remains confident in his players' backing despite a challenging second season in charge.

Following a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle, reports surfaced claiming that up to half of the players had lost confidence in Ten Hag due to concerns over his style, tactics, and signings.

The club responded by banning four media outlets ahead of the press conference for the upcoming clash against Chelsea, citing the outlets' failure to contact the club for comments or clarification as the reason for the action. Ten Hag emphasised his belief in the unity of the team, pointing to recent performances against Brentford, Burnley, and Fulham as examples of their resilience and determination.

Addressing the bans, Ten Hag expressed the importance of a proper and professional discussion with the media. He dismissed concerns about player unhappiness, acknowledging that there are always players who play less and may be less content, but he emphasised that there are no significant issues within the squad.

Regarding Wednesday's match against Chelsea, there were no questions in the press conference. Ten Hag, who was considered a top contender for the United job in 2022 alongside Chelsea's manager Mauricio Pochettino, highlighted his commitment to a proactive, dynamic, and brave style of play, which he believes the majority of his players support.

Ten Hag also emphasised his open communication with the players, stating that he listens to their opinions and provides them with opportunities to express their views. While acknowledging that one or two players may have differing opinions, he asserted that the majority of the squad is aligned with the proactive and dynamic style of play, citing recent performances as evidence of improvement.