Erik ten Hag has vowed to work around the clock to make Manchester United great again.
Ten Hag outlined his vision for resurrecting United and said he is prepared to work 24/7 to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford. Of course you need time to relax, to gather energy,” said ten Hag. “But, in the end, a manager is 24/7. You live for football and if you want to prepare for a season and if you have to prepare a team from game to game, we have to play a game every three days so it’s a lot about football. You sleep and you live football.”
Former Ajax boss Ten Hag, 52, who United officially unveiled on Monday, said the club and the players must accept the reality of their current predicament and be realistic about his first season in charge. United finished in sixth place, 35 points behind champions Manchester City and posted their lowest points total of the Premier League era with just 58, as well as a goal difference of zero, their worst for 32 years.
Against that backdrop, Ten Hag tempered expectations, but said United belong in the Champions League and that his aim in his debut season is to secure a top-four place. Asked what his message to United's players was, Ten Hag said: “That we have to accept the current situation but also they have a good potential.
“A year before, this team was second in the league, so the potential is there. Learn the lessons from this season, we have to analyse clearly what went wrong. But from then on work hard, get a team and fight the opponents.
“I said this is the project, to bring United back on top, but also we have to accept the current situation we are in. First of all, United belongs in the Champions League, so that will be the first target.”
Man Utd fans, how optimistic are you about Erik ten Hag's reign? Have your say here
United last won a trophy five years ago today, the Europa League under Jose Mourinho, and ten Hag underlined the importance of winning silverware to end that drought. “For me, every game is important,” said Ten Hag. “We want to win every game and that has to be the attitude from everyone.
“Players, but also staff and all the other ones in the club. Every game is important and we will give our best every game to win and to come forward. I’m happy that I am here and I will give my best and I hope and I expect that I can make the fans proud again, that we restore United where they belong. I will give my best and I will take the decisions necessary to get there.”
