Erik ten Hag has warned that Manchester United’s turnaround is a long way from being complete despite being on a four-match unbeaten run that has put them back in the race for a Champions League spot.
The Dutchman takes his side to Luton on Sunday aiming to add a sixth win in seven matches in all competitions. United have been aided by the return to fitness of Casemiro, the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund finding form after a tough start to his career in England - the Dane has scored in each of his past five Premier League appearances after not finding the net in the first 14.
Meanwhile the overall mood at Old Trafford has been lifted by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25% purchase of the club. “I think it’s too quick to say we have turned a corner,” Ten Hag said. “We are not there yet, we are still not in a position to say so.
“We are back in the race, but not in the position we want to be at this club – that is a minimum of the top four, so we have to catch up and we are still doing that. But I do think that now we are going in the right direction.
“I was always convinced we would once the players were available. With this squad I knew – that with me and my coaching staff and players, and the togetherness, we have the quality to play for the top four. Of course over the season we had to prove it – but I was always convinced we would.”
Ten Hag has put his faith in young players, such as Mainoo, Højlund and Alejandro Garnacho, who are repaying their manager with fine performances and giving hope that there may be better days ahead for United.
“It is about trust – the manager trusts the staff with their eye on the potential of the player so that did not surprise us,” Ten Hag said. “But of course they have to prove it – that’s the other thing, and something that goes with everyone in top sport – you have to prove it.
“I think we still have in our squad those players who can make the bigger steps like Kobbie and Garnacho have made in the last couple of months.”
