September 24th 2024.
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, has his sights set on yet another trophy for his team. According to Owen Hargreaves, United should feel confident in their chances of adding to ten Hag's impressive record in this season's Europa League.
After a disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League and a lackluster performance in the last season's Champions League, United finds themselves back in Europe's second-tier club competition. Although they previously won the Europa League in 2017 under Jose Mourinho, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Sevilla in their last appearance.
With a slow start to their current league campaign, having only won two out of their first five games, United may have to rely on cup competitions for a chance at a trophy. However, Hargreaves believes that ten Hag has his sights set on success in Europe, aiming to add to his trophy cabinet with his third trophy for the Red Devils. In his first two seasons, ten Hag has already won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup with United.
Hargreaves shared his thoughts ahead of the Europa League's return, stating that when a team is not at the same level as others in the Champions League, they are quickly exposed. He also believes that winning the Europa League is a realistic goal for United, given the strength of their squad. He wouldn't be surprised if they were able to achieve it.
When asked about United's current performance, Hargreaves didn't hold back, stating that it has not been up to par with expectations, especially after a successful summer in terms of recruitment. He believes that Europe is a big opportunity for the players to turn things around. While they may want to be in the Champions League, sometimes it's better to focus on a competition where they have a chance of winning.
One player who is set to make his first Europa League appearance for United is Kobbie Mainoo. Having broken into the first team midway through last season, the teenager is expected to feature in their upcoming game against Twente. Hargreaves is a big fan of Mainoo's style, describing him as calm and composed, playing like he's in his own backyard with his friends.
However, Hargreaves does believe that United's midfield balance needs improvement. While all the players are talented, there can only be one ball in the game, and if they don't have it, they need to work hard to get it back. He believes that United had issues with this in the previous season and the start of this season, but the arrival of Manuel Ugarte could help improve their midfield.
Hargreaves praises Ugarte for his ability to win the ball in the middle of the park and believes he will be a valuable addition to the team. He also emphasizes the importance of the entire team defending from the front. TNT Sports is the place to watch all the action from the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League, available through their streaming service discovery+ and major TV platforms. It's more than just sports, it's everything. For more information, visit tntsports.co.uk/football.
Stay updated with the latest Manchester United news, exclusives, and analysis by signing up for their newsletter. Your privacy is important to us, and this site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
