Erik ten Hag has admitted Manchester United are a ‘long way away’ from being able to win the Premier League.
Optimism has increased around Manchester United following a change of personnel in the board and encouraging early transfer business.
The arrivals of Dan Ashworth, Omar Berrarda and Jason Wilcox to the hierarchy, alongside investment from new minority owners Ineos, has raised hope ahead of the new season.
United completed the £52m signing of Leny Yoro from Lille this week, beating competition from Real Madrid to one of Europe’s most coveted young talents. Joshua Zirkzee has also arrived from Bologna, while talks are ongoing for Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs de Ligt.
Despite the club’s decisive work early in the transfer window, Ten Hag has admitted his side are some distance from competing for the game’s biggest prizes.
United endured a disappointing campaign last term, exiting the Champions League in the group stage and ending the season eighth in the Premier League – the club’s lowest league finish since 1989-90. There was consolation, however, with FA Cup success.
The Red Devils have not won the Premier League title for 11 years and Ten Hag has urged for patience with the club’s project, despite this summer’s revitalising changes on and off the pitch.
“We want this club back to where it was more than a decade ago, to a club that wins the Premier League, which can win Champions Leagues,” he told AD.
“We are really a long way away from that, I think. Our standards, our norms and values, still need to go up.”
