Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has insisted that it is "only a matter of time" before the team embarks on a strong run of form.

The Red Devils flatted to deceive in their three recent wins over Brentford, Sheffield United and Copenhagen, and they then suffered a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Manchester derby on Sunday.

Man United have already lost five times in the Premier League this season, which has left them down in eighth position in the table, eight points behind fourth-placed Liverpool.

The 20-time English champions have only picked up three points from their three games in this season's Champions League, meanwhile, leaving them with a tough task when it comes to reaching the round of 16.

Man United will be aiming to bounce back from the three-goal defeat to Pep Guardiola's side when they host Newcastle United in the EFL Cup on Wednesday evening, and Ten Hag has said that he is "certain" his side will be able to show their best form in the not too distant future.

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"As we welcome Eddie Howe and Newcastle United to Old Trafford, our focus moves back to the Carabao Cup and a reminder of how well we did to win this competition last season," Ten Hag wrote in his column for United Review.

"Our game management throughout that cup run, especially in the final against Newcastle, showed our ability to rise to big occasions – and Wednesday night is definitely another big occasion for us.

"We always want to do as well as we possibly can in every competition we enter. We know how good it feels to lift this trophy and, as holders, we want to get back to Wembley Stadium again this season and defend the Carabao Cup.

"Against a strong opponent we know that we will have to be at our very best if we want to progress in this competition. This is cup football and there is no second chance if we don't perform on the night.

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"At Manchester United, every game involves high stakes. Every single day, there is pressure on everybody involved with this club, but those demands and standards are a challenge which we must always meet head-on.

"While this has not been the start to the season that we had all hoped for, I am certain that we have the talent and attitude as a collective to move in the right direction.

"I believe that it is only a matter of time before we are showing our true selves. It will come, I am certain."

Ten Hag's position as head coach of the 20-time English champions is said to be safe despite the team's poor form, with the incoming Sir Jim Ratcliffe not looking to make a change.

However, Ratcliffe, who is set to take over the football department when he completes a 25% purchase of the club, will allegedly be reducing the head coach's responsibilities in the transfer market.