Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag delivers brutally honest assessment of title chances
Erik ten Hag says Manchester United have no right to consider themselves Premier League title candidates for the new season.
Despite overseeing a £406million spend since taking charge, Ten Hag said only champions Manchester City can talk about winning the title. Ten Hag closed the gap on City from 35 points to 14 last season, but he said United have to earn the right to be talked about as title contenders.
“I think in pre-season we shouldn't talk about that,” said Ten Hag. “I think no-one in the Premier League can do that. Maybe City, they can do that, because for the last six years they won the title five times.
“So they can talk about that, but any other club must first compete for the first four positions and make sure you are getting in the first four. After that, the first two, then maybe you can see about getting yourself into such a position, but don't talk about that achievement.”
United lost 6-3 at City last season, beat Pep Guardiola's side 2-1 in the return fixture, but went down 2-1 to them in the FA Cup final. Ten Hag knows they are the team to catch, but said his focus must be on improving United, rather than focusing on Guardiola's Treble winners.
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Manager Erik ten Hag of Manchester United is interviewed (2023 Manchester United FC)“We've proved we can beat them, but you have to do it every day and, at this moment, we have a way to go,” said Ten Hag. “City are also winning their games much more easily than we did, so I see the facts. But I don't want to talk about them, because it sounds negative.
“I want to talk about our project. I want to talk about how we have improved and I think the improvements last year and the results were quite obvious. Also, in the performances, it was quite obvious we could beat the big opponents – particularly City.
“In the three games you saw absolutely that we increased the levels against them. We're looking for ourselves and not at other teams. We have a competition with seven or eight clubs in the Premier League.
“Across Europe, even more teams, so we have to work on our way of play and improve our performance.”
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