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Erik ten Hag has claimed that it is impossible for Manchester United to compete for titles while they continue to miss out on top players.
United have struggled this season as they lie sixth in the Premier League but have both Newcastle United and Chelsea breathing down their neck with four tough-looking fixtures remaining in the league season.
Ten Hag’s men have successfully booked their place in the FA Cup final later this month against Manchester City, but even winning the famous old trophy won’t mask what has been a disappointing season.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Dutch manager was asked on why he felt that his team had missed out on many transfer targets, including Frenkie de Jong.
While not addressing the name of De Jong directly he did claim, “it is always difficult to say about ten years, it would be good to do research. I think this club can only have outstanding players. That’s the truth because expectations are so high. United is the biggest or maybe second or third biggest club in the world. Everybody has an opinion about Manchester United.”
The Dutchman went on to claim that any player who comes to the club needs to have outstanding physical and mental attributes to be a success and if these types of players do not arrive, the club will always fail to meet expectations.
“Obviously the last decade, we have not always got the players we have wanted. Then you have to build and you have to accept that you get talents instead of the players who have already proven it.”
The former Ajax manager then suggested that while the club is very happy with Rasmus Hojlund’s efforts this season, he is an example of such settling.
“I can see a striker, who has already proven it, who we wanted to sign but we couldn’t get him. So went for Rasmus.”
Neville then asked if he meant Harry Kane and he retorted, “Harry Kane you know you get 30 goals. Rasmus will get there but he needs time. It’s not fair to assess him the same as Kane.”
Somewhat frankly, the under-fire coach claimed that while the club cannot bring in talents like Kane, they will never achieve what the world expects of them.
On settling for talents over ready-made players he claimed, “it has a negative impact on the team and that’s what we have to accept. Fans and opinion makers don’t want to understand, they only see the results but we need time.”
Ten Hag has already claimed that fans do not entirely understand as he recently criticised Old Trafford fans for booing his decision to remove Kobbie Mainoo from the field of play against Burnley last Saturday.
He went on to say “you have to accept that the process is going slower and you cannot expect that you straightaway will compete for titles like the Premier League and Champions League.”
Whilst there is certainly logic to the Dutchman’s argument, it seems strange that he would criticise the policy of signing talents over ready-made stars when Sir Jim Ratcliffe, his new boss, has already stated that the new regime will look to sign up and coming talents rather than finished products like Kylian Mbappe.
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