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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has issued an ultimatum to his players ahead of the upcoming 2024/25 season.
Last term, United endured an extremely disappointing and underwhelming campaign that saw them finish in eighth position, their worst-ever since 1989/90.
The team however ended the season on a relatively high note as they beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley, with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo both finding the back of the net.
The first batch of United stars – who were not away with their respective countries on international duty – recently returned to training in preparation for the club’s pre-season tour.
The likes of Mason Mount, Casemiro, Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire, Amad Diallo, Andre Onana, Victor Lindelof, and Antony were all spotted at Carrington on Monday.
There is renewed optimism that the new season will bring far better fortunes for the Red Devils, who are currently undergoing sweeping changes internally. The summer transfer window is Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS’ first one since the competition of a 27.7% partial investment into the club.
Already, Ratcliffe has brought in top football executives such as Jason Wilcox (technical director), Dan Ashworth (sporting director), and Christopher Vivell (director of global recruitment).
Ten Hag opened up about the kind of impact the likes of Wilcox and Ashworth could have and revealed that they will help to raise the bar at United.
In his sit-down with club media, the Dutch coach also revealed his ambitions for the new season as he called on his players to work for everything they want to achieve while always endeavoring to improve standards within the ranks every single day.
Ten Hag insisted that his main priority is to build towards competing for the biggest trophies: the Premier League and Champions League.
He said, “We won an FA Cup, we won a Carabao Cup, but also we have high expectations from ourselves.”
“We know it doesn’t come overnight; we have to work for it. We are highly ambitious, so we have to raise our standards day by day, and improve every day.”
“Every time, we have to live with the line in our head: good is not good enough. We have to do better.”
When asked what United need to do to return to the summit of English and European football, the manager replied, “We’re working on this. I said it, and it’s a fact: United didn’t win, for over six years, a trophy. Now we’ve won two, but we are up for more and for higher titles, like the English title and even more, like going into Europe.”
“That’s a process that takes time, and we’ll work on it, but I know with the set-up at the club, with the changes to the structure, and the changes to infrastructure here around Carrington, we will be ready for the future. We will improve.”
“You feel it here, it gives a new energy, it gives a new dynamic and that will help us to achieve our targets. In the short-term, it stays the same: we want to win every game, and we have seen we are capable of beating everyone.”
United play their first pre-season game on Monday 15 July against Rosenborg. The match kicks off at 17:00 BST
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