‘I see a big difference in comparison with last year’: Erik ten Hag claims that Man United are in a stronger position to land their summer transfer targets compared to his struggles when he was first appointed Red Devils boss
Erik ten Hag believes it will be easier to convince transfer targets to move to Old Trafford this summer, even if Manchester United aren’t in the Champions League.
Ten Hag spent a club record £220million on new players following his appointment last year as he signed Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Antony, Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia.
The Dutchman revealed on Friday that it was a hard sell persuading players to buy into his rebuilding project, but believes it is already clear that won’t be the case again this summer.
Ten Hag has won the Carabao Cup and reached the FA Cup final in his first season, and hopes to deliver a top-four finish in the Premier League over the remaining four games of the season.
Asked if recruiting players will be easier even if United don’t qualify for the Champions League, he said: ‘I see a big difference in comparison with last year. There were a lot of reservations last year when I spoke with players.
Erik ten Hag is confident that United will have fewer problems in this year’s summer window
Lisandro Martinez (L) and Antony (R) were two players that ten Hag managed to convince to join the Red Devils in the previous summer window
‘Now, many players see what’s going on, the dynamic and the ambition in this project, the quality especially. They are really keen to come, I’ve noticed that.
‘It looks like there were a lot of reservations last year, a lot of doubts when we approached players. This year, many quality players really want to come.
‘Expectations are higher but also we have to acknowledge where we were last season and the last seasons.
‘We have to rebuild and reconstruct. We are in that process and in the right direction. You can see that in the way we play. We are more proactive.
‘You can see it in how we won already one trophy and we are in another final. We’re also in the top-four at the moment, and we have to stay there.
‘Of course, we have to get better every day. We have to work and improve. That is the demand on everyone at this club, the staff and the…