Erik ten Hag: Manchester United should leap ahead in coming yr

Erik ten Hag is demanding Manchester United elevate the bar as soon as once more having overseen “obligatory” and “immense” enhancements throughout his first yr in cost.

Final summer time the Dutchman took the reins at a membership in disarray, with a scarcity of coherency, high quality and joined-up pondering leading to a wretched 2021-22 marketing campaign.

Ten Hag introduced in a brand new model, applied demanding requirements and dealt with star Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit as effectively he might earlier than masterminding the top of United’s six-year anticipate silverware.

The Carabao Cup triumph was adopted by a third-placed Premier League end and FA Cup closing loss to eventual treble winners Manchester Metropolis, who’re the goal as they push for additional enhancements.

“I feel the degrees all throughout elevated (at an) immense (degree) and that was obligatory,” Ten Hag stated, reflecting on his first yr in cost.

“However, nonetheless, we’re not there the place we need to be and we now have to boost the bar, so we now have to go to subsequent ranges.

“You be taught at all times and I feel English soccer evolves and I feel you see these days the league is stronger and stronger. Once you examine it with three, 4 years in the past, it’s positively the case.

“As a result of all of the sturdy gamers get interested in the Premier League, all the very best managers obtained interested in the Premier League, so each time it develops and progresses.

“It’s actually a problem and I’m actually trying ahead once more to go within the season and to get the problem.”

United have been bolstered heading into the brand new season by the arrivals of Mason Mount from Chelsea and Inter Milan’s adventurous goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Rasmus Hojlund is ready to hitch them after United agreed a deal in precept to signal the gifted Atalanta striker for a £64million charge rising to £72m – a doubtlessly key addition to a goal-shy group.

“I can’t speak about this participant on this second as a result of I’m a very long time in soccer and I do know first we want signings,” stated Ten Hag, who at all times tends to retains playing cards near his chest.

“Thus far, we now have to maintain calm and let the professionals do their work. “

Hojlund’s arrival will take United’s summer time outlay to £162.8m – a determine that will improve to £179.2m if the respective clauses within the three arrivals’ contracts are met.

Membership success is vital to a lot of these add-ons and followers may very well be involved will probably be arduous to succeed in these heights below the Glazers given their observe report.

Hope that their lengthy, unpopular possession might finish grew with November’s announcement of a “strategic evaluate” at United, with Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe putting bids.

However the Glazers are dragging their heels and no decision is in sight with the Premier League kick-off lower than a fortnight away.

“I concentrate on my job, and that’s to enhance the staff,” Ten Hag informed the PA information company when requested in regards to the takeover scenario.

“I’ve to do my work to signal the gamers and I’ve to work on the way in which of play. That’s my focus space.

“That’s what I’ve executed, so I don’t get distracted from any of the strategic evaluate. That’s what others within the membership will take care of.

“We’ve a superb info line. We’re sharing the knowledge, so I do know the place I’m and I can concentrate on my job.

“Many of the instances (the knowledge) goes over (chief govt) Richard Arnold or (soccer director) John Murtough. However generally additionally we now have direct contact, as you’ve seen in New York.”

Ten Hag confronted quite a lot of questions on totally different matters within the New York space forward of kicking off their US tour with a 2-0 pleasant win in opposition to Arsenal at MetLife Stadium.

The Dutchman pointed again to his feedback there when requested for an replace on Mason Greenwood, who has been suspended since January 2022.

The Crown Prosecution Service introduced in February that every one costs, together with tried rape and assault, had been dropped however an inside investigation continues.

“I defined in New York and I don’t assume I’ve to answer once more on that query,” Ten Hag stated. “I answered this query, however I can’t each time reply the identical query.”

One other main matter heading into the New York leg was the United captaincy as Ten Hag had simply stripped Harry Maguire of the armband and handed it to Bruno Fernandes.

The membership have since rejected a £20m bid from West Ham for the out-of-favour defender, who it was recommended might dominate the primary few months of the season like Ronaldo did final time period.

“I don’t see it like that, however you possibly can have that impression,” Ten Hag retorted. “That’s your selection.

“However not final yr, not this yr. We’re constructing, we’re constructing a mission. We need to win trophies.

“And, so we now have to put money into the way in which of play, we now have to put money into the staff and our focus is just not on one participant.”

Ten Hag says consistency throughout the staff is important if United are to kick on subsequent season, with the early acquisitions of Mount and Onana boosting their preparations.

“I wouldn’t name it an Erik ten Hag squad,” the supervisor added. “It’s in regards to the calls for of high soccer.

“We’ve to seek out the gamers, or we now have to extend the degrees from the gamers who’re there.

“I feel many gamers improved throughout final season. My expectation is that we are able to make one other step that we improve the degrees of the people.”