[LOOK] A point to prove: Manchester United belong in the Champions League says Erik ten Hag
|Published
Fit again: Marcus Rashford
With Manchester United only needing a point against Chelsea in Thursday night’s Premier League clash to return to the Champions League, coach Erik ten Hag wants his manne to get the job done.
On 69 points heading into the penultimate game of their league campaign - with Fulham the next visitors to Old Trafford on the final day this Sunday - the Red Devils can make a top-four finish vas and deny bitter rivals Liverpool the kans of overtaking them at the laaste with a draw or a win on Thursday night.
Having missed out on top-tier European football last term following a sixth-placed finish, Ten Hag says Champions League is a must.
The @PremierLeague is calling! ☎️#MUFC || #MUNCHE
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 25, 2023
He explains: “We want to compete with the best and be in the Champions League. First, we have to win the game and get the job done.
“We win one trophy [the League Cup] but we want more trophies… we think we are in the right direction but it can always be better. Because good is not good enough.”
Ten Hag will be boosted by the return to fitness of top goalscorer Marcus Rashford, who missed their last two wins through injury and illness.
Meanwhile, Chelsea head to Old Trafford guaranteed their worst league finish since their 14th place in 1993/94.
Having helped the Blues to the first of their two Champion League titles, interim Frank Lampard wants his 11th-placed side to show that they can reach that level again.
A top six finish confirmed for @OfficialBHAFC ⚪️🔵 pic.twitter.com/4tG0lRWktM
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 24, 2023
He says: “We’ve not met the standard regularly enough, I’ve seen some reasons why.
“The players need to reach the standard, I think we did against Manchester City.”