By Lori Ewing MANCHESTER, England The way for Manchester United to weather their current storm is to stick

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Erik ten Hag promised he was a “fighter” after Manchester United slumped to a 3-0 Carabao Cup home defeat to Newcastle to pile more pressure on him. Defeat in the rematch of last season’s final – which United won to highlight a promising first season in charge for the Dutchman – meant United have lost eight of their opening 15 fixtures in all competitions this term, their worst start since the 1962-63 campaign. Goals from Miguel Almiron, Lewis Hall and Joe Willock ensured a second consecutive 3-0 home defeat for United, comfortably beaten by rivals Manchester City on Sunday, and they were booed off at both half-time and full-time as Ten Hag was left facing some serious questions. “I am a fighter and I know it is not always going up,” he said. “We have a lot of setbacks this season so far, but also you have to deal with it and that is never an excuse. “I have said that before I know when there are setbacks the routines are not the same, but even then you have to get results in. Obviously, Sunday and tonight were far from that so we have to do things right and at a certain level, at the minimum level to win games.” Questions of Ten Hag were already being asked after Sunday’s derby defeat left United 11 points from the top of the Premier League table after 10 games. The former Ajax boss said he accepted that, but insisted he had no doubts about his own abilities. “I understand it when the results are not there,” he said. “It is also a logical process that they are questioning that. But I am confident I can do it. At all my clubs I have done it and also last year here I did it as well, but at this moment we are in a bad place. “I take responsibility for it. I see it as a challenge. I am a fighter and I am in that fight and I have to make sure that I share the responsibility with my players and that we stick together and fight together, and get better results.” Both sides made several changes from the weekend, but even with Newcastle’s resources stretched by injuries they looked by far the sharper of the two sides, winning the midfield battles and finding space going forward, often far too easily down United’s right-hand side in the first half. “It is below the standards everyone expect from Manchester United,” Ten Hag said. “It is not good enough by far. We have to put it right. I take responsibility for it. It is my team and they are not performing. I have to share it with my players, but I am responsible.” I take responsibility for it. I see it as a challenge. I am a fighter and I am in that fight and I have to make sure that I share the responsibility with my players and that we stick together and fight together, and get better results Erik ten Hag Defeat was not the only blow for United with Casemiro, back after a three-game absence, withdrawn at half-time with an unspecified injury which Ten Hag said would rule the Brazilian out of Saturday’s trip to Fulham. While United assessed the damage, Newcastle enjoyed lengthy celebrations with their loud travelling support after their first Old Trafford victory since December 2013. “It was a massive performance from the players and I can’t credit them enough,” said Eddie Howe. “Some great stories, only (an injury to) Matt Targett the negative, but even more credit to the players and some giant performances. “I personally have always found it a difficult ground and Newcastle the same so another thing to be really proud of the commitment showed by everyone. I thought we showed some great goals, the quality was a real highlight. “We are determined to try and do well in every game. We picked a team we felt could win and now we will do the same for Arsenal (on Saturday).” Read More Rodrigo Muniz gives Marco Silva a selection headache with Fulham cup display Mauricio Pochettino will not take risks with Chelsea captain Reece James Sean Dyche wants Everton squad to be happy playing three times a week Jurgen Klopp thrilled as Liverpool weather storm at Bournemouth Manchester United and Arsenal knocked out of the Carabao Cup I’m responsible – Mikel Arteta accepts blame for Arsenal loss at West Ham

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Everton manager Sean Dyche wants his players to develop a physical and mental resilience so they are happy playing three times a week. The Toffees boss made just two changes for the comfortable 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over his former side Burnley – who made seven – to set up a quarter-final meeting with Fulham. Dyche’s school of thought is if his side are playing more it means they are involved in more competitions for longer and that is the route to success. “It’s always tempting (to make changes),” he said after goals from James Tarkowski, Amadou Onana and Ashley Young – his first for the club – saw off the Clarets without much fuss. “The challenge you have got is if you want to go and be really super-successful you will play a lot of football so I want the players to realise they can play three games a week, that they can have the mentality and take these games on. “The support systems have never been greater so I don’t think it’s a lot to ask players to play three in a week. “At the end of the day I want the mentality to be ‘I want to play every game’. It’s not finished but it’s building.” Momentum is also building after a fifth win in seven matches as Everton gave their late chairman Bill Kenwright the send-off he would have wanted. Goodison Park rose as one to mark his death last week at the age of 78 and the team ensured the occasion was marked in fitting fashion. “It’s work in progress but there is progress. When you start winning people start to believe a bit more,” Dyche added. “I think the players are beginning to believe more and more. Five in seven is a good marker. The players deserve it, they are working very hard on the training pitch.” Burnley boss Vincent Kompany insists his side are still trying to adapt to life at elite level despite blowing away the Championship last season to book an immediate return to the top flight. “I have never mastered the art of feeling good after a defeat. The first half was good but mistakes cost us at this level,” he said. “You don’t accept it, absolutely not. But you put it into context because it could make your head crazy. “Is it a bad performance? No. The worrying thing would be if you didn’t have belief in the squad but that’s not the case. These are steps we have to make. “You go through such a huge gap between the Championship and Premier League. It is not an excuse but motivation to get better. “When you get promoted it is not supposed to be easy. You are on a journey. That is part of what we are experiencing now.” Read More Mauricio Pochettino will not take risks with Chelsea captain Reece James Jurgen Klopp thrilled as Liverpool weather storm at Bournemouth Manchester United and Arsenal knocked out of the Carabao Cup I’m responsible – Mikel Arteta accepts blame for Arsenal loss at West Ham Darwin Nunez comes off the bench to fire Liverpool into Carabao Cup quarter-finals James Harden joins LA Clippers from Philadelphia 76ers