MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has candidly admitted his side are “far away” from winning the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
The Hag, who won the FA Cup last season by beating Manchester City in the final at England’s Wembley Stadium, agreed with the comments of former Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick, who said the “attitude and energy” at Old Trafford needed a change.
“Rangnick was absolutely right. We worked very hard on it for two years, but he said it right,” said Ten Hag during an interview with Dutch newspaper AD Sportwereld.
“Our standards still need to rise. When I started, I knew it would be hard work. There are many people who have given me advice. Louis van Gaal too.
“We want this club to get back to where it was more than ten years ago, to a club that will win the Premier League, that can win the Champions League. I think we are really a long way from that.
“I think we’ve made strides since then, otherwise we wouldn’t have won two awards, but we’re not that far yet where a ‘winning culture’ prevails here in every way.”
“Our standards, norms and values must continue to rise. I wasn’t shocked (by what I inherited). But the culture, the mentality was really not good. We had to change a lot to win and really perform at the top every week.”
The Hag also spoke about Jadon Sancho, who started training with the team for the first time since August 2023 and featured in Saturday’s 2-0 friendly win at Rangers.
“We spoke well. Everyone can make a mistake,” said Ten Hag. “This club needs good players and one thing is certain: Jadon Sancho is a very good player. I hope we click again and he will contribute to our success.”
