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MANCHESTER, England -- Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United are going in the "right direction" despite back-to-back Premier League defeats.
United have slipped 11 points off the top four and could lose a third successive league game for the first time since 2015 when Everton visit Old Trafford on Saturday.
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The form of the team, combined with the arrival of new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has put pressure on Ten Hag's job but the Dutchman says he's happy with the trajectory of the club under his leadership.
"The project is going in the right direction when we have the players available," Ten Hag told a news conference on Friday. "Imagine we had many more players available and not setbacks and injuries.
"When you compare it with other managers, other teams, or previous managers in this big club, you can see there is a bright future.
Marcus Rashford is set to be available vs. Everton. Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
"We want to be successful, we need to be successful. Sometimes seasons are going like we are now, but we don't accept that, we will fight, we have problems and have had problems with the squad injury wise but with the players available we will fight."
Ten Hag is hopeful the injury situation is easing, although he's not expecting players back to face Everton.
Marcus Rashford and Jonny Evans are set to be available despite coming off early in the 3-1 defeat to Manchester City, but Rasmus Højlund and Harry Maguire are expected back for the FA Cup tie against Liverpool.
Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Omari Forson, Anthony Martial and Mason Mount remain out.
"No team can deal with so many injuries," said Ten Hag.
"I think we played to maximum levels if you take in the availability of the players. We missed so many key players over the part of the season. The performances we have seen when the players are available in January and February, the performances are very good."
Source: espn.co.uk