Erik ten Hag says Champions League place is tough for Manchester United

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says he was right to know that it will be difficult to get a place in the Champions League next season, with the club 11 points off fourth place and a mounting number of injuries.

United, in sixth place in the Premier League, are two games behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and will try to close the eight-point gap when they play Chelsea on Thursday.

With Tottenham Hotspur sitting in fifth place, United must do everything they can to secure a place in Europe’s top club competition.

“I know it will be very difficult because we are not in a good position,” said Ten Hag. “But we want to win every game, that is the standard we have here … We have to catch up. But I also know we have had a lot of problems so I am a realistic man.

“In a competition that is so competitive, and the teams are so close in terms of levels with each other, then you need the players to be available to make a consistent team to bring the routines in your way of play.”