Erik ten Hag is adamant that Manchester United needs "better players" if they want to seriously contend for the title the following year.
In their penultimate Premier League match of the season, United defeated Chelsea 4-1 to clinch qualification for the Champions League. With a victory over Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday, United could finish in the top three for just the fourth time in the last ten years thanks to that victory.
Many United supporters anticipate an overdue attempt at the title in 2023–24 as a result of the higher standards set in a season that is already an unquestionable success.
Champions Manchester City leads United by 17 points, and Ten Hag emphasized that United must strengthen during the summer transfer window. Ten Hag is eager to add a striker, a midfielder, and at least one defender to his side.
"It's difficult to say in this moment, you have to see now how you come out of the transfer window but if I see now we need more," Ten Hag stressed. "But I don't have so much patience, that is one of my mistakes."
"We want to win every game but also, as I just tried to explain, it's tough here, there are really good teams, especially this season. Manchester City are playing really outstanding football. We have a way to go, we are in the right direction, we have work to do, so a work in progress."
Ten Hag concurred that a top-four finish was comparable to winning a championship, a point Arsene Wenger made known during his time as Arsenal's manager.
Arsenal's title drought, which will undoubtedly last another 20 years, has angered their fans, who appeared content with placing in the Champions League qualifying spots. Ten Hag made it clear that he wouldn't accept that. "Not good enough for me."
"I think in this league, that's a good base to be in the top four but, yeah, we want to compete for the title," he emphasized.
"But it has to be realistic and you can first say when you have your squad in the end of the transfer window and also the winter transfer window that you can do, the squad is there and you can make a statement about if it's realistic or not."
"Now we are far away, so we have a lot of work to do, we've made progress with this team, with this squad but we need better players if we want to compete for the highest."
"I think in the Premier League, yeah, it(top four)'s something like [a trophy], it's the main objective of the season to get in the Champions League, so therefore you have to see yourself in the top four."
"The competition is tough, there are many teams with really good squads, good managers, so when you are in there, you did a good job and your team is playing well and performing well and for this moment this is the maximum but we want more."
Victor Lindelof acknowledged that Manchester United's players now understand their precise roles on the field and applauded Erik ten Hag's tactical approach.
On Thursday night, United needed just a point against Chelsea to secure their place in the Champions League. They got off to the ideal start as Casemiro's magnificent header gave them the lead in the sixth minute.
Despite spending £600 million this year, Chelsea is still certain to finish in the bottom half of the standings, as evidenced by their abject performance at Old Trafford.
"That was always the target for us, so I'm very pleased we achieved that today," Lindelof told MUTV.
"I mean we knew we could secure the spot and we went out there and won the game. I think everyone is very happy."
"I think the mentality and effort everyone puts in [has been the difference]. Everyone knows exactly what to do on the pitch, we have a system and everyone knows their roles out there, so we've played some great football this season."
"We deserve this spot in the Champions League. I think I've been performing well and when I'm on the pitch, I just want to help my teammates to perform and to win the game. I think I've done that, so I'm pleased."
When asked about the FA Cup final, Lindelof added: "We were just thinking about Chelsea today, but we have another big match on Sunday. We want to perform, keep a good home record and then after that, we can focus on what's next."
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