Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed what could be one of his biggest disappointments at Old Trafford this season.
Erik ten Hag was praised for the impact that he made in his debut season at Manchester United after he arrived from Dutch side Ajax in 2022.
The 54-year-old Dutchman captured the Carabao Cup trophy last season and led United to an FA Cup final, only to suffer a 2-1 loss to Manchester City at Wembley.
Ten Hag also secured United’s return to the Champions League after the Red Devils finished third in the Premier League table in the previous campaign.
Despite strengthening his squad with new signings, the United boss’ second season at Old Trafford has underwhelmed Red Devils supporters.
United crashed out of the Champions League in humiliating fashion after the Red Devils finished bottom of Group A behind Turkish side Galatasaray.
The Red Devils’ Carabao Cup title defence fell well short of expectations, with United suffering a 3-0 defeat to Newcastle at Old Trafford in the round of 16.
United could end their season with major silverware, as the Red Devils face Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-finals ahead of securing a potential spot in the final.
Man Utd boss Ten Hag on disappointment claim
Despite challenging for the FA Cup, Manchester United face a mammoth task of finishing inside the Premier League top four for the second consecutive season.
United are currently sixth in the Premier League table and are nine points adrift of fifth-place Tottenham, though the Red Devils have a match in hand.
Fourth-place Aston Villa hold an 11-point lead over Erik ten Hag’s men, but Unai Emery’s side have played two more Premier League matches this season.
United were dealt a major blow to their top-four ambitions last weekend after they dropped costly points in their 1-1 draw with Brentford away from home.
The Red Devils now face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening before they welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford on Sunday for their Premier League clash.
Speaking ahead of the Chelsea match, Ten Hag admitted it would be disappointing if United did not secure Champions League football for next season.
“I don’t know and I don’t care [about the pressure to reach the Champions League], but also I have high standards,” he told the media at Carrington.
“I would be disappointed if we didn’t qualify but I do know that we are not in a good position.
“We want to win every game and that is the standard we have here amongst each other.
“We will [keep] going and keep believing, holding that standard. That will be the approach for the games and fighting in the games.”
Ten Hag on Man Utd’s top-four challenge
Ten Hag insisted that he is a “realistic man” and will “keep fighting till the end” in the hopes of securing a top-four finish for United this season.
“I know we are not in a good position and we have had to catch up and also I know we have had a lot of problems,” he continued, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“I am also a realistic man. In a competition where the teams are so competitive and it is so close with each other in terms of levels, then also you need the players to be available, to make a consistent team, to bring the routines in with the way of play and that depends on the results.
“That is a fact, if you can’t do it and you make compromises, you will drop in levels and when you can play a consistent team, your levels will go up.
“When you can bring the best players in your squad you will collect more points, that is a fact.
“I will be realistic, nevertheless, I will keep fighting till the end for every game and I will demand a win because we are Man United and we have to win every game.”