Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, has highlighted the significance of securing Champions League qualification as a means to attract new signings and facilitate the club’s ongoing rebuilding project. Despite being three-time winners of the Champions League, United has struggled to progress past the quarter-finals since 2011, and last season, they had to settle for Europa League football after finishing sixth in the Premier League.
In his first season at the helm, ten Hag is on track to bring Champions League football back to Old Trafford. The upcoming match against Brighton presents an opportunity for United to strengthen their position in the top four. Ten Hag believes that qualifying for the Champions League is crucial in order to entice players of the required caliber to join the club during the summer transfer window.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he expressed, “All the big players want to play in the Champions League. Manchester United is a big club. In the period I’ve been here, I’ve noticed everyone wants to play for Manchester United. Now it looks like we are in the Champions League, there is even more interest because they know we are in the Champions League and the Premier League at a high level. So, qualification will be important.”
He emphasized the allure of the Champions League, where teams face formidable opponents from across Europe, go head-to-head with top managers, and compete in world-class stadiums. Ten Hag believes that participating in such a prestigious competition not only enables players to test their skills against the best, but also provides a higher level of competition in the domestic league. This, in turn, contributes to the rebuilding process at Manchester United.
“The players know they want to be in the Champions League, they want to be at the top of the Premier League. We fight for every position, and, on the pitch, we fight for every yard, every duel because that is the meaning of top football,” ten Hag added.
Brighton holds a unique place in ten Hag’s tenure at United. They are the only away team to have secured a victory at Old Trafford in the Premier League this season, handing ten Hag a defeat in his first game in charge. However, United avenged that loss by eliminating Brighton from the FA Cup in a recent semi-final clash at Wembley, progressing to the final via a penalty shootout.
Reflecting on the initial defeat to Brighton, ten Hag acknowledged that it occurred at the beginning of a process and stated that it is normal for teams not to perform at their peak from the start. He expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress since then, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and striving for excellence.
“While we have made significant strides and are heading in the right direction, I will never be satisfied. We can always be better. Good for me is not good enough. We have to do better and always aim for the next level,” said the United manager.
Ten Hag also acknowledged that some other top teams have been building their projects for a longer period, which puts United’s progress into perspective. Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about the future and determined to bring Manchester United back to the pinnacle of football success.
