Erik ten Hag says his 12 months within the Old Trafford hotseat have laid foundations for lasting success and challenged his squad to now take the following step. He hopes summer time acquisitions Andre Onana, Mason Mount, Jonny Evans and the presently sidelined striker Rasmus Hojlund may help United shut a 14 factors hole on Manchester City, with the Red Devils not completed out there but.

“Managers always want more, I think every manager you ask wants more but it is more about the mentality in top football," he said. “We have to demand the maximum and because we also do that from our players and the fans expect it from us so always look for the perfect situation. But you also know you never get the perfect situation and you have to work on that to get the perfect results.”

United put together to welcome Wolves to Old Trafford tonight and Ten Hag maintained his squad should construct on a primary season which delivered the Carabao Cup and a high 4 end. Asked to mirror on a rollercoaster first 12 months in cost Ten Hag admitted the membership have already made larger strides than he anticipated.

“I think we couldn’t expect this where we are now, we look back for one year and where we ended it, in third place, losing FA Cup final but winning another trophy,” mentioned the United boss.

“We have shown we could beat all the good teams, the best teams in the world and we have a really good foundation and now we have to work on it and do it consistently. We have a good foundation and now we work well, with the right efforts in and we will be more successful and I believe we can make that step.”

The future for Harry Maguire stays up within the air regardless of West Ham and United having agreed a £30m deal in precept. When quizzed Ten Hag recommended Maguire challenged the England defender to remain and combat for a beginning place.

He added: “He has to fight for his place. He has the ability to be first choice centre back as he is the best for England so why shouldn’t he be the best for us? So he has to prove it. When he is not confident enough to fight then he has to make a decision and go.

“We don’t have the squad with 11 players, last year proved definitely we need all the players so you need some high level players who are maybe not starting. In the squad now all the positions are double and every player has the perspective to fight for his place. It is up to the players if they have game time or less.”