Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, feels his team is “back in the race” for the top four, but he does not think that their six-game unbeaten streak indicates the end of their season.
United has now won five and drawn one of their last six games after winning just twice in nine and losing five in December.
The victory over Aston Villa last weekend was significant because it kept them six points behind Tottenham in fourth place. If they can continue this kind of play, they will get closer to qualifying for the Champions League with games against Luton, Fulham, Everton, Sheffield United, and Brentford, excluding the Manchester derby.
First off, I believe it is premature to declare that we have turned the corner. We haven’t arrived yet. Ten Hag stated, “We are still not in a position.
“We are back in the race, but we need to catch up because this club wants to be in the top four, so we are not where we want to be. But I believe that things are going well right now.
Securing Champions League football must take precedence, as Ten Hag concedes that United is not on the same level as Manchester City, Liverpool, or Arsenal.
He is aware that it will take longer to advance and reestablish them as title contenders because of the investment they have made in young, talented players.
“I believe we were in a very good moment in the summer: we were third, winning one final and competing in another final,” he continued.
“Thereafter, you select young players for the future, which is related to FFP (Financial Fair Play, which is now Profit and Sustainability). You also realize that it will take longer to compete for the top spot in the Premier League.”
When the season was at its worst, the Dutchman was questioned if he doubted his ability to lead a club that had finished third the previous year and advanced to two cup finals, winning one of them.
He declared, “I was persuaded.” I knew the players had what it takes to compete for the top four as soon as the injured players were cleared to play, but we now need to demonstrate it. I was persuaded of it the entire season.
Two young players who have helped them progress are Alejandro Garnacho, 19, and Kobbie Mainoo, 18.
Ten Hag acknowledges that the team might save millions of dollars during the transfer window if they keep up their current pace.
“Manchester United is and will always be a buying club, but I believe that the club’s history is about providing players from the academy with opportunities,” he continued.
“We have given some players with potential the time and space to grow, and we are also providing them with guidance since we believe their potential is greater.
We also consider the fact that they were unable to perform at that level at that particular time, but when given the chance, they developed very rapidly and eventually raised the bar for the team.
We were persuaded by those individuals based on their prospective assessment, and I believe we still have young players in our group who can advance, as demonstrated by the recent accomplishments of Garnacho and Kobbie.
