Ten Hag sets aside City thoughts as top-four battle continues

Friday 19 May 2023 22:30

Erik ten Hag will relish the chance to lift the FA Cup next month and stop Manchester City’s Treble quest - but not before getting the job done in the Premier League.

With just one point separating his Manchester United team and Liverpool, albeit with us having a game in hand over our rivals, it is crunch time for securing a spot in next season’s Champions League.

Speaking at his press conference to preview Saturday's game against Bournemouth, Ten Hag said: “I think we have [to] keep doing what we do all season. Improve every day. Improve every game.

“Don’t look too far ahead and focus on the next game, that’s the most important.”
Press conference part two: Bournemouth v United Video

Press conference part two: Bournemouth v United

Press conference | Ten Hag answers questions on Rashford, Sancho and more ahead of our clash with the Cherries...

City advanced to the Champions League final earlier this week and appear to have a firm hand on the Premier League trophy, giving them an opportunity to become only the second team in English football history to complete the Treble, following Sir Alex Ferguson's most famous feat as United manager in May 1999.

When asked about the prospect of plotting another win over the Blues, the current Reds boss admitted with a wry smile: “Yeah, I will enjoy it.”

Assuring fans that his attention will not turn until the Premier League season is complete, he added: “Before that, it’s not important. Not important at all.”

With a chance to lift the FA Cup for the first time since 2016, and add it to the Carabao Cup we collected earlier this year, there will eventually be no escaping the significance of our trip to Wembley next month.

But Ten Hag is only interested in winning at Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium for the time being. He accepts that stepping up our form away from Old Trafford is essential for a final push in the Premier League and has identified an area he believes is key to unlocking this improvement.

“We have one [more] opportunity, to show we can improve [away from home]. That is tomorrow.

“I think one thing has to be clear, from the back, we have to be better on the ball.”

Bournemouth v United in the Premier League kicks off at 15:00 BST tomorrow (Saturday) with live radio commentary and updates available in our app and via the Match Centre on ManUtd.com.

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