We are all united behind Martin Johnson, insists Rob Andrew

Andrew, the Rugby Football Union's elite rugby director, dismissed suggestions that Johnson's back-up team needed to be changed after heavy defeats by Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

Instead, he claimed continuity, similar to the management structure and player development seen at Old Trafford, was a template worth copying.

While not suggesting Johnson was going to involve a Sir Alex Ferguson figure at Twickenham, Andrew is prepared to give the new team manager at least three years in the post.

Andrew said: "I am absolutely happy with Martin's view of the England coaches and he is in charge of the review that will now take place after the autumn internationals.

"We are constantly looking at things and Martin will go into the Six Nations with the same coaching team.

"Johnno has a three-year fixed-term contract until the 2011 World Cup and that is a change to the contract structure at the RFU and what is required over the next three years.

"The process has just started — four weeks — and it is long term. The United and Arsenal systems are about the process behind it and that is what we are trying to build behind Johnno so that we don't fall into the trough where we don't have players coming through.

"We need the Guinness Premiership to help with player development because the guys are the first crop from the Academy system."

Johnson is about to start his review of the November internationals and it is clear there will be very few changes to his 32-strong elite player squad.

He said: "A lot of the coaches have taken individual blame but they have been fantastic.

"We know what the issues are and what needs to be addressed, including quick ball at the breakdown. It is not a case of ignoring the issue and we know it has to be dealt with.

"As I have said, the coaches have done a fantastic job and we will be working hard to improve in all areas and that includes our kicking game."

The team boss remains convinced the management can mould a young side into a unit that can be competitive in the Six Nations championship, which starts in February.

"I didn't go into the autumn series of Test matches to lose by those margins," said Johnson.

"I don't want to give ourselves any excuses because the guys can certainly play and we have been through as tough a group of games as I have been involved in during my career.

"In certain areas, our guys have been exposed by the best teams in the world and they have to improve.

"They have to ask themselves, 'Can we play at this level and improve?'

"We don't want to vast changes in the squad because these are our best players and there are not a whole host of others in the Premiership.

"There is no point chopping and changing in mid-season."

Johnson confirmed that Dave Alred, the kicking guru who turned Jonny Wilkinson into a World Cup winner, will continue to be paid by the RFU to help Danny Cipriani's development, despite Jon Callard being the official kicking coach with England.