Erik ten Hag says Manchester United earning a Champions League place this season will be crucial for his rebuild project and hinted that more players have shown interest in the club with the Reds on track for a top-four spot.
The boss also pointed to the fact that match scheduling will aid next year’s missions with fans hopeful of a title challenge. Premier League teams in the Europa League and Conference League typically struggle with the Thursday-Sunday schedule.
United have played just five matches on a Saturday all season. As well as calendar issues, the failure to qualify for this season's Champions League gave the club's finances a big hit.
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All players had their salary reduced by 25 per cent as part of a pre-agreement while United’s pulling power was hampered, although not tainted according to Ten Hag. He hinted that there is now "more interest" in the club with a top-four finish a likelihood.
"All the big players want to play in the Champions League," Ten Hag told Sky Sports. "Manchester United is a big club. In the period I've been here, I've noticed everyone wants to play for Manchester United.
"Now it looks like we are in the Champions League, there is even more interest because they know we are in the Champions League and the Premier League at a high level. So, qualification will be important."
United failed to qualify for the Champions League twice in the past five years and have not gone beyond the Round of 16 since the 2018/19 season. Ten Hag unpacked why playing in the competition is so vital for the club.
He added: "In the Champions League you face the best teams across Europe, the best managers, in the best stadiums. For the players, they face the best players and [as a team] you are in a better league schedule, that is also important.
“It's very important for the rebuild of this club that we are in the Champions League. The players know they want to be in the Champions League, they want to be at the top of the Premier League.
“We fight for every position, and, on the pitch, we fight for every yard, every duel because that is the meaning of top football."
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