Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is refusing to abandon aspirations for Champions League qualification, emphasising the possibility of a quick turnaround.
Despite facing a significant challenge as they currently sit 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with 11 games remaining, the Dutch tactician is urging his players to fight for a spot.
New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has prioritised securing a spot in Europe’s premier competition for the season. However, United’s recent 3-1 defeat to Manchester City has increased the difficulty of achieving this goal. The team now relies on Villa slipping up or a scenario where the Premier League secures five spots in the expanded Champions League.
Even with these considerations, United must also surpass fifth-placed Tottenham, who are six points clear with a game in hand.
🔴 Erik ten Hag: “Don’t forget Man City are the best team in the world in this moment”.
“We can be close with everyone on board… we have many problems out due to injury”.
“We were already close in the final last year”. pic.twitter.com/LfFomFlxmU
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 3, 2024
Ten Hag remains optimistic, stating, “It can be an advantage that fifth spot can also be a Champions League spot, so we have to go for it and win our games.”
For England to secure five Champions League places, Premier League teams must finish in the top two across all three European competitions, a scenario currently led by Italy and Germany, with England in third. United’s fate hinges on the performance of their domestic rivals City and Liverpool in the coming stages.
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However, the task becomes more challenging as United needs to catch either Villa or Tottenham, which appears improbable based on recent form.
The defeat to Manchester City marked United’s 11th in the Premier League this season, nearing their worst return. The team face Everton in their next game, with hopes of a turnaround in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.