Ten Hag: We cannot live with low standards

The 52-year-old unfortunately suffered defeat in his first competitive match at the helm last week, and his team will now look to kickstart the campaign away from home, as the Reds face Brentford in the Premier League this Saturday afternoon at 17:30 BST.

With claiming silverware at the top of list for any United manager, the former Ajax boss insists returning to those former glories is at the forefront of everyone's minds.

''I will not say it's always easy, but I think Man United stands for trophies,'' said Ten Hag, during his pre-match press conference.

''That has to be the standard that everyone has to expect.

''We cannot live with lower standards, because then we will not get back to where we need to be.''

Having last lifted silverware under Jose Mourinho back in 2017, United were unlucky to not claim Europa League success for a second time when, at the end of the 2020/21 season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side were beaten on penalties by Spanish side Villarreal in the final. 

That competition is one of four fronts the Reds will be fighting on in this new campaign, and Ten Hag is embracing the challenge, despite the opening defeat.

When asked by a journalist if there has been any panic within the club this week, he replied: "When Manchester United is not performing, not winning, that is normal [to panic]. I would be more [worried] if there wasn't a panic! Because we have to win - that is the demand. 

"But still, I would say 'panic' is not the right word. It's more like: come on, we have to act."