Tottenham boss Antonio Conte says Manchester United will “always be a monster” whose “power” has not dwindled despite the club’s recent struggles.
Conte takes his side to Old Trafford on Wednesday night knowing that victory would close the gap on leaders Arsenal to a single point, with Spurs enjoying their best ever start to a Premier League season.
Things are yet to click, however, for new manager Erik ten Hag in the United dugout, his men currently sat in fifth, seven points behind Spurs as they seek a return to the Champions League following last season’s sixth-placed finish.
Next May will mark a decade since United’s last Premier League title and they have gone five seasons in a row without silverware of any kind but Conte believes their recruitment in recent years is proof that the club’s stature and potential has not been harmed by the drought.
“This period is not a lucky period for United if you compare to 10 years ago, but only two years ago, don’t forget, United fought for the Premier League and finished second behind City,” Conte said.
“We are talking about a team that if they don’t make big mistakes they always stay in the top four, play Champions League and fight for the title and trophies.
“Manchester United always have the power. Even in the last 10 years, every season, they had the power to go into the transfer market and to invest big, big money.
“They did this two years ago, when they finished second. They went into the transfer market to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, [Jadon] Sancho and [Raphael] Varane from Real Madrid. This power never finished at Old Trafford.
“Maybe the results were not at the same level as the investment. But United for the present and the future will always be a monster that you have to go to fight. They have big, big potential from an economic aspect.”
