Sofyan Amrabat is confident that Manchester United will be able to navigate their way out of a difficult period in order to enjoy a successful 2023-24 campaign.
The Red Devils finished third in the Premier League table last season, in addition to winning the EFL Cup, and they had been expected to push closer to the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal in England's top flight this term.
Erik ten Hag's side are currently down in 10th position in the table, though, only picking up 12 points from their opening eight matches, suffering four defeats in the process.
Man United have also lost their opening two matches in the group stage of the Champions League, leaving them in a tough position when it comes to progressing to the knockout round.
Amrabat, who arrived on loan from Fiorentina on September 1, has been a key player for the Red Devils since overcoming a back injury, making five appearances in all competitions.
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The Morocco international had been forced to play as a left-back in his first four matches due to the team's injuries in that area of the field, but he operated in central midfield against Brentford last time out.
A late Scott McTominay brace saw the Red Devils record a much-needed win over the Bees, and the team will now be looking to make it successive league victories when they head to Sheffield United on October 21.
The 20-time English champions will then host Copenhagen for a huge Champions League encounter before the small matter of the Manchester derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
Amrabat remains confident that his side will be able to get through a tough period, with the 27-year-old insisting that "hard work" will be vital.
"I think I can say a lot of things, but I don't want to use them as an excuse," Amrabat told Premier League Productions. "I think in life, but also in football, it never goes always only good, or top. You always have a moment that maybe it will be a little bit difficult, and now I think it's a bit like that at the moment.
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"But we just started. We still have a very long season, a long way [to go]. I think we have played good games [and had] a lot of positive and good things.
"Maybe with a bit more luck, we'd have won the games that we didn't win. So I have a lot of confidence and I think yeah, we work very hard every day. Nobody will give it to you. You have to work for it. But we work very hard and I believe it will be fine. It will be good.
"We train a lot, with what the manager asks of us and the way he wants to play. We put a lot of time and energy into that and, like I said, there are a lot of good things. Of course, we are not perfect yet, but I think nobody's perfect. It needs time.
"But I think also it's the results. If the results come, it will be only faster that the confidence will grow. That's football, it's like that."
Amrabat is only on loan at Man United from Fiorentina, but the Red Devils have the option to sign him on a permanent basis during next summer's transfer window.
Matt Law
