Impatient Erik feels Reds need more
Erik ten Hag admits he is impatient to continue building his Manchester United squad, but has paid tribute to a handful of players he feels have excelled this season.
The Reds sealed a Champions League place with a 4-1 victory over Chelsea at Old Trafford and still have a home game with Fulham on Sunday, in addition to the Emirates FA Cup final with Manchester City on 3 June.
Nonetheless, thoughts inevitably turn to the transfer window at this stage of any campaign, and the rumour mill is already in full swing ahead of its opening on Wednesday 14 June.
Ten Hag wants results now but is eager to carry on his work in progress, improving individuals and building a team capable of winning more honours.
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"It's difficult to say this," he replied at his press conference, when asked if United can challenge for the Premier League title in 2023/24. "We have to see how you come out of the transfer window.
"As I see it now, I think we need more, but I don’t have so much patience. That is one of my mistakes. I want to win every game, but also as I've just tried to explain, it’s tough here.
"There are really good teams, especially this season. Not only this season but Manchester City are playing outstanding football. We are in the right direction, but we have work to do. It’s a work in progress."
In his interviews with the official broadcasters at Old Trafford, Erik was also keen to point out that he is happy with the progress made by certain individuals, and not just star men such as Marcus Rashford, who scored his 30th goal of the season, against Chelsea, and outstanding Man of the Match Casemiro.
"You mention Casemiro and Rashford but I can mention four, five or six players who played a great season," asserted the manager. "We are really happy with their progress."
And he elaborated further, when discussing the immense contribution of Casemiro, who opened the scoring on Thursday night.
"He is massive," added Ten Hag. "We missed him a lot of games, I think, the suspensions were not justified, and then you notice he is not on the pitch and we are missing him. He is so important in the middle of the pitch; building up, defending, organisation, winning battles and also scoring goals. He has done a great job but I think also there are many other players who had really good seasons. There’s really good progression from the team."