Erik ten Hag urges Man Utd youngsters to step up amid transfer ‘restrictions’

Erik ten Hag says that Manchester United’s young players ‘have to improve themselves’ amid ‘restrictions’ the club currently face in the transfer market.

The Red Devils have invested in a crop of players for their long-term potential under the United manager including Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte.

Youngsters Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo have also starred under Ten Hag, with the Dutchman’s side facing Tottenham on Sunday.

Ahead of the clash with Spurs, Ten Hag said: ‘That is the choices [deploying young players] we have made the last two seasons.

‘I understand the impressions many have for Manchester United, because the history is so big, but that is the choices we have made, and that has also to do with some financials, and other restrictions we have to deal with.

‘We made a choice for young players, and the young players are not in the level, you can’t expect them [to be], we have to improve them, and they have to improve themselves.

‘And we have to find a team that can be successful on a consistent base. And this team, in the last two years, they’ve shown they can do it, on occasions, and on occasions we can win trophies, but we have to get more consistent.’

Ten Hag has also outlined United’s European aims, adding: ‘It’s [Champions League qualification].

‘I never spoken of how you ask me the question now, but what I think is: we have to succeed.

‘And we have to win trophies, that’s what this club stands for and the highest platforms; this club has the ambition to play in the highest platform.

‘Yeah, we want to achieve the Champions League, that’s clear, and we have two routes, the Premier League [top four] and the other one is [winning] the Europa League.’

United qualified for this season’s Europa League after winning the FA Cup last term, defeating rivals Manchester City in the final.

The Red Devils are back in European action on Thursday with a trip to Porto following their opening draw against FC Twente.