Erik ten Hag has admitted that qualifying for the Champions League could be even harder for Manchester United next season but the Red Devils boss warned Newcastle United 'things can change' this summer.
Manchester United can join Newcastle in officially sealing their place in the top four this week by picking up a point against beleaguered Chelsea at Old Trafford on Thursday night. Manchester United, who have a game in hand on Newcastle, are currently a point behind the third-placed Magpies in the table.
It is a tribute to how Newcastle have held their nerve that Eddie Howe's side have stayed above Manchester United in the table ever since defeating the Red Devils 2-0 at St James' Park last month. However, rather than being content with returning to Europe's top table for the first time in 20 years, Newcastle will set out to make a 'dent' in the Champions League while also ensuring the squad have the depth to cope with the rigours of competing on multiple fronts.
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Howe has already acknowledged it will be a 'big' summer for Newcastle, who are looking at a very small pool of targets who can 'make the difference'. In the Newcastle head coach's words, it will be the club's 'toughest window yet', but the black-and-whites will aim to come back even stronger next season, which is ominous for ten Hag and co.
With that in mind, ten Hag was asked if competition for the Champions League next season will be even harder after Newcastle disrupted the established order.
"It could be, but there is a summer in between," the Manchester United boss told reporters. "A lot of things can happen in the summer. In this moment, we know the balance in the league but, over the summer, things can change."
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