The 2021/22 campaign has been disastrous for Manchester United but there is light at the end of the tunnel, with incoming manager Erik ten Hag already impressing in his opening few days as the club’s manager.
The Dutchman was unveiled earlier this week and after being quizzed on Manchester City and Liverpool’s stranglehold on English football, he insisted that eras come to an end, hinting that he’s already gearing up to take United’s rivals on immediately.
Amid a disappointing season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, United will be playing in the Europa League next season but Ten Hag has targetted a swift return to Europe’s fine dining table.
“I said this is the project, to bring Man United back on top, but also we have to accept the current situation we are in,” Ten Hag is quoted as saying by the official Manchester United website.
Read more: (Video) Patrick Kluivert backs Erik ten Hag to succeed at Man Utd
“First of all, Man United belong in the Champions League, so that will be the first target. For me, every game is important. We want to win every game and that has to be the attitude from everyone: players, but also staff and all the other ones in the club.
“Every game is important and we will give our best in every game to win and to come forward.”
SN’s verdict…
Ten Hag has hit the right note in just about every statement he’s made so far and it’s no different this time. United have been consistently inconsistent over the last decade and the biannual tradition of missing out on the Champions League needs to stop.
Upon leaving Ajax, the 53-year-old often spoke of his pride of making the Amsterdam club ‘Europe-proof’ and that’s an achievement he’ll need to replicate at United.
Before fans dare to dream of winning their 21st league title, the club must reestablish itself as England’s great superpower, knocking Liverpool and Manchester City off their very temporary porch.
