Erik ten Hag thinks it's "a little bit too quick" to assume Manchester United are back to their best after their 1-0 win against West Ham.
Marcus Rashford's first-half goal secured all three points for the Red Devils at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon to push them up to fifth in the Premier League table. Ten Hag's improving side are now just a point behind Newcastle in fourth with a game in hand.
Although the Dutchman accepts United are heading in the right direction, he doesn't believe they are Premier League title contenders just yet. His comments come after Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City's local rivals are "coming back" under Ten Hag.
"It’s a little bit too quick," said Ten Hag when asked about Guardiola's comments. "Second half I have to be critical, we have to manage things better. The spirit is fabulous, we have the qualities to score goals, attacking football, the effectiveness we need to improve that. If we keep going we’re in the right direction but to track them we have a long way to go."
United will be confident of finishing in the top four of the Premier League this season after recording a seventh win in 12 fixtures. The club endured a poor 2021/22 campaign, placing sixth in the table and failing to win a trophy for the fifth consecutive season.
Speaking ahead of Sunday afternoon's game, Guardiola told reporters: "I have the feeling United are coming back, finally United is coming back... I said I like what I see of United right now. There will be a lot of teams like United fighting for there [the top four]."
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United's win against West Ham did not come easy, with the visitors having 13 shots and 47 per cent of the possession. Yet another superb performance from goalkeeper David de Gea - as well as Rashford's 100th goal for the club - proved to be the difference.
On his team's performance, Ten Hag said: "I think first-half possession we could’ve done better - more opportunities, more initiative from the back. We had moments but could’ve done better.
"We made a great goal. The pass from [Christian] Eriksen - the header was really a hammer. It’s so great, it’s a player out of the academy - striker - he’s really representing Manchester United. I want to value the good work he is doing with this. It’s so great, tomorrow it’s his 25th birthday. A great present I’d say."
Ten Hag added: "I think we have to manage it better - it’s clear. Second half possession was quite poor. Football is also a thinking game - there was so many spaces they left for us and managed the game, let them run.
"Every moment we lose the ball, I call it a tennis match from one side to the other side. I have to say it was quite good that we managed that and had a good keeper."
United have four more games to play before the World Cup starts next month. Ten Hag's side will play Aston Villa twice - once in the Premier League and once in the EFL Cup - as well as Fulham in the Premier League and Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
