I honestly think that reporters asking Erik ten Hag about Manchester United’s title chances are doing so prematurely in attempt to try set the team up for failure.
Firstly, we are not under the impression that this United side will challenge for the title this season.
Ten Hag set off with an objective to finish in the top four to qualify for the Champions League. That is the step we are trying to make this season and it’s important we don’t get carried away with every three points that are secured.
With that in mind, Ten Hag is understandably cautious to label his side as Premier League challengers.
“That is a big step, no, we have to go from game to game and get the progress,” Ten Hag told reporters, as per the Manchester Evening News. “The belief is growing. That is a good signal, and it is good to have that feeling.
“We have to understand that we have to give every game 100 percent energy, 100 percent focus and 100 percent play as a team, and if you keep that philosophy, it is possible, but you have to go from game to game.
“Don’t get too far ahead it is January not even half a season. The next game is Everton, we have to focus on that, it is coming quick, enjoy 24 hours and then move on.”
There is a lot of football to be played this season and we all know that United should be beating teams like Burnley, Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Bournemouth. Our next game in the league will be a test — versus Man City — and I’m looking forward to it.
Still, though, we should take nothing away from Ten Hag and his players. United made it four wins in a row on Tuesday night and it bodes well for a team that had no winning momentum last term.
United now sit fourth — level on points with Newcastle — and we are just one point behind Man City in second.
