Erik ten Hag makes clear admission as Man Utd boss faces fight to save future

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is under pressure to return the club to the Champions League this season to ensure Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s show of faith isn’t short-lived. However, the Dutchman has admitted that his side is still “way off” competing for the biggest honours as he battles to restore a winning culture at Old Trafford.

INEOS’ decision to trigger the 12-month extension in Ten Hag’s contract rather than handing him new terms indicated that he was very much on trial after a dismal second campaign.

United salvaged their season with a shock FA Cup triumph over Manchester City after the expectation of an imminent sacking dominated the build-up.

It followed their worst-ever Premier League finish in eighth – only qualifying for the Europa League through cup glory – and a Champions League group-stage exit with just one win from six games.

Another dismal league campaign would likely spell the end for Ten Hag, and the 54-year-old accepts that it wouldn’t be acceptable despite believing he needs more time to build.

“The last time Manchester United were champions was 2013. That’s 11 years ago,” Ten Hag explained.

“But there is still the expectation that we will win every game and play at the top of the Premier League. This club hasn’t been ready to do that. We have had to build.

“I think we have made steps since I came here – otherwise, we wouldn’t have won two prizes. But we are not so far advanced yet that there is a winning culture here in all respects.

“Our standards, our norms and values, still have to go up in lots of areas if we want this club back to where it was over a decade ago, to a club that wins the Premier League, that can win Champions Leagues.

“We are really still some way off, I think. But Manchester United is the biggest club in the country and perhaps the world. This is a club that is either loved or hated. There is nothing in between.

‌”So when it doesn’t go well, everyone falls over themselves to say something critical about us in very strong words.”

United start their Premier League campaign by hosting Fulham at Old Trafford next Friday, where a positive start to set the tone is crucial.

By the time that game comes around, Ten Hag’s summer spending likely will have reached £155.5m ahead of the imminent arrivals of Bayern Munich duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.

He has already added Lille centre-back Leny Yoro and Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee to his ranks while sanctioning four senior exits for a combined £48m.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka will boost the funds raised by sales to £63m when he completes his move to West Ham United in the coming days.