Manchester United are on a five-year trophy drought, with the last bit of silverware obtained by the Old Trafford club being the 2017 Europa League win under Jose Mourinho. Since then, United have reached two cup finals but failed to put an end to their barren run.
Erik ten Hag has been tasked with turning the club’s fortunes around and his tenure at United is off to the perfect start after two wins from as many games in this summer’s pre-season tour.
Scott McTominay, a favourite under Ten Hag’s predecessors Ralf Rangnick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, was on the scoresheet against Melbourne Victory and has now stressed the importance of fighting for trophies once again.
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“Yeah, 100 per cent. It’s obviously difficult to speak about that last year,” McTominay responded to a question on improving on last season’s record-low finish, according to The Athletic.
“Obviously it touched a nerve in terms of when we speak about it again as a group.
“It’s not nice and that’s got to be the motivation now to put everything back to normal and obviously go for trophies again under the new boss because I know that this squad is more than capable of doing that.”
SN’s verdict…
There’s definitely optimism around United right now but that won’t count for much unless the record is set straight this season. United completely capitulated over the last three months of the 2021/22 season and Ten Hag will ensure that doesn’t happen.
Fans must also be careful with their expectations. United’s problems are deep-rooted and they won’t change overnight, even if the initial signs under the Dutchman are promising.
McTominay is expected to be an integral part of his rebuild and he is one of several players in danger of losing their places, with midfield identified as one of the areas Ten Hag would like to strengthen.
Christian Eriksen, the former Inter Milan and Tottenham midfielder, has already signed and a deal to bring Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong to Old Trafford is being pursued.
me myself who can’t kick a ball can say anything that I dream of.