Breaking News: Erik ten Hag makes Champions League admission as he accepts Man Utd ultimatum

Erik ten Hag, who retained his position in the summer despite Manchester United’s eighth-place finish in the Premier League last year, is aware that another setback won’t be tolerated.

Erik ten Hag acknowledges that his season at Manchester United is either Champions League or bust.

Ten Hag is aware that if co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s expression of confidence in him is to mean more than a stay of execution, he will need to finish in the top four and rejoin Europe’s elite.

In the summer, after his team had defeated Manchester City in the FA Cup final to salvage a poor Premier League season, United met with a number of prospective successors who were interested in taking over for the Dutchman. After that, Ten Hag had to wait another month for Ratcliffe’s INEOS boss Dave Brailsford to visit him while on a family vacation in Ibiza in order to let him know that his position was secure.

In response to Ten Hag’s request for an extension of his contract, United activated the 12-month provision in his current agreement, extending his stay until the summer of 2026. However, the former Ajax coach knows that leading the 13-time Premier League champions back to the top will be crucial to his hopes of staying in Manchester for another two full seasons.

Ten Hag stated: “Manchester United last won a championship in 2013.” It was eleven years ago. However, there is still a belief that we will dominate the Premier League and win every game. This club isn’t prepared to take that action. We’ve got to construct.

We would not have won two prizes if we hadn’t made progress since I arrived, in my opinion. However, we haven’t progressed to the point where this place has a successful culture in every way.

“There are still many areas where our standards, norms, and values need to improve if we want to take this club back to its pre-crisis level, which was more than ten years ago—a Premier League-winning, Champions League-caliber team. I believe that we are still quite a ways off.

Erik ten Hag is under pressure to perform this season (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

However, Manchester United is the largest team in the nation, if not the entire globe. Either they adore this club or they despise it. Nothing exists in the meantime. Therefore, when things don’t work out, everyone jumps at the chance to criticise us in strong terms.

On Friday night, United welcomes Fulham to Old Trafford to begin the Premier League season. Ten Hag, who was given over £90 million to add Leny Yoro and Joshua Kirkzee, will be eager to make a statement.‌

Ten Hag has already spent more over £450 million since coming to Old Trafford two summers ago as a result of those arrivals. “There were a lot of long contracts at United, which made it difficult to completely refresh and strengthen the team,” he continued.