Manchester United vs Chelsea
Premier League
Thursday
25th May 2023
Old Trafford
Erik ten Hag hopes to secure a ticket for next season’s Champions League with Manchester United on Thursday evening. The Mancunians need a point at home against Chelsea to finish at least fourth in the Premier League.
Ten Hag avoids question about Neymar
Ten Hag can take third place from Newcastle United with a win over Chelsea. “We are going for the win and want to get the job done,” said the Dutch manager at a press conference, referring to the hunt for a Champions League ticket. “Whether we are ahead of schedule in terms of performance? I leave that to other people.’
“We are working on a project and want to go back to the top and compete for the prizes. We have already won one prize and we are moving in the right direction, but good is not good enough. If you want to compete with the top, you have to play in the Champions League and finish in the top four of the Premier League. Even though the competition is fierce, we know that,” said Ten Hag.
The United manager hopes to have Marcus Rashford again against Chelsea, who was missing in the past two games because he was not fully fit. “Looks like Marcus can compete again. He trained again on Tuesday and now we have to wait and see how he reacts,” he said.
Ten Hag was also asked about rumors about a summer transfer from Neymar to Old Trafford, but the Dutchman did not want to say much about that. “If we have news, you will hear it,” said the manager. United close the Premier League season on Sunday with a home game against Fulham. The FA Cup final against Manchester City will follow on Saturday 3 June.
Ten Hag sees Chelsea as an example of how not to do business
Chelsea’s problems should serve as a warning to Manchester United in the run-up to their takeover, Erik ten Hag suggests.
Manchester United itself is facing a takeover after the Glazer family announced in November that it would sell United. “You can have money, but you have to spend it in a smart way and there has to be a strategy behind it. Otherwise the money won’t work,” Ten Hag said at the press conference on Wednesday in the run-up to the meeting with Chelsea in the Premier League. “You have to do the right things.”
Manchester United need one point on Thursday evening to secure Champions League participation for next season. “I think we are on the right track, but we can also learn from this season,” said Ten Hag. “We have to evaluate after the season, draw the right conclusions for the future and we will certainly do that after the season.”
