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United's manager the Portuguese coach thinks it is important Sir Jim Ratcliffe publicly shared his long-term thoughts - but says nothing is certain about tomorrow in football, never mind three seasons.

During a discussion with a leading newspaper last week, Ratcliffe stated it might require the manager three seasons to make a significant impact at United's home ground.

Arriving during a time when the manager's position has been under scrutiny in the wake of a lengthy stretch of unsatisfactory outcomes, the statements assisted in calming certain present tensions.

However, talking ahead of the hundredth encounter with historic adversaries Liverpool at their home ground, the United boss stressed that what comes next is challenging to anticipate in football.

"It's truly positive to hear it but he tells me constantly, sometimes with a message following matches - but understand, I'm aware and Jim knows, that football is not like that," he commented.

"The crucial element is the next game. Despite having backers, you cannot control tomorrow in soccer."

CEO the club executive has acknowledged it has needed significantly extended periods for the manager to acclimate to the Premier League subsequent to his appointment from Sporting Lisbon in November than any person expected.

United have won 10 times in 34 top-flight fixtures with the Portuguese coach. They haven't managed consecutive league victories and have not ended a round of league games during this campaign higher than ninth.

The concerning numbers are stretching belief in the head coach among the Red Devils supporters approaching a sequence of matches the side has performed poorly in for the last couple of years.

United's boss commented he doesn't sense the uncertainty inside the club at their training facility and is firm nothing equals the expectation he puts on the squad - and in certain ways, he would prefer Ratcliffe not to be trying to bring a sense of calm because he is concerned about the effect it might produce on the squad.

"It isn't merely a thing that people talk about, I sense it every day," he said. "It's certainly beneficial to listen to it because it assists our supporters to understand the leadership know it is going to take some time.

"However simultaneously, I dislike it because it generates a sense that we have time to work things out. I don't want that impression in our team.

"The expectation I apply to the players or upon myself is considerably larger [than that from outside]. In the sport, especially in big clubs, you must demonstrate your value every weekend."

Connected themes

• Manchester United
• Premier League
• Soccer