TNT Sports pundit Owen Hargreaves has tipped former side Manchester United to lift one piece of major silverware in the 2024-25 campaign under manager Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has lifted major silverware in both of his seasons at Old Trafford after his arrival from Dutch side Ajax in 2022.
The 54-year-old Dutchman led United to the League Cup in 2023, which was the Red Devils’ first major trophy since the 2017 Europa League triumph.
However, Ten Hag missed out on the FA Cup in the 2022-23 campaign after United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Wembley in 2023.
The former Ajax boss avenged the 2023 cup final defeat last season, with United beating Manchester City 2-1 in the 2024 FA Cup final at Wembley in May.
Hargreaves talks Man Utd and Ten Hag
Erik ten Hag’s men kicked off their Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening with a 7-0 demolition of League One side Barnsley at Old Trafford.
United will begin their Europa League campaign on 25th September against FC Twente, who Ten Hag used to play for as a player, at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils’ FA Cup trophy defence has not started at the time of writing, but Owen Hargreaves is convinced that United can win another piece of silverware.
The former United and England midfielder believes that the Europa League could be the competition that Ten Hag’s men win in the 2024-25 campaign.
The Red Devils last won the competition under former United boss Jose Mourinho, with Ajax suffering a 2-0 defeat in the Europa League final in Stockholm.
“They are in the Europa League this season and that is a competition they can win,” Hargreaves told Football365.
“We saw how they did in the Champions League last season and that was not great, to be polite. I think they are better off being in a competition they can win this season.
“It is a long season for a reason and you need to give players and managers time. You can’t decide after three or four games to make big changes.”
Hargreaves sends message to Ten Hag
Ten Hag committed his future to United in the summer after he inked a new contract extension, but the Red Devils boss has faced criticism early into the new season.
United beat Fulham 1-0 at Old Trafford in their Premier League opener in August before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Brighton at the Amex and a 3-0 loss to Liverpool.
Following the September international break, Ten Hag’s men returned to winning ways on Saturday with their 3-0 win over 10-man Southampton at the St Mary’s.
Hargreaves has warned Ten Hag that he “needs to settle on who is his best team” and stick with them going forward to avoid the tide turning against him.
“People have a right to be critical of the way United played over the past couple of seasons,” he said.
“In the end, Erik will tell you they have won a couple of trophies and that is a great point.
“It hasn’t been the prettiest football at times, but has won trophies and that has kept him in a job.
“Now United have had a difficult start to the season. The Brighton and Liverpool games were not great, but they have a lot of good players and they have to be given time to come good.
“You look at all the top teams and you know who is going to play every week, but you don’t know that with United. You don’t know who their centre-back partnership is going to be, who will be out wide, who is up front.
“Ten Hag needs to settle on who is his best team and he needs to decide on his best team. If he can do that, he will think he has a chance.”
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