Erik ten Hag believes it will be easier to convince transfer targets to move to Old Trafford this summer, even if Manchester United aren't in the Champions League.
Ten Hag spent a club record £220 million on new players following his appointment last year, signing Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Antony, Christian Eriksen, and Tyrell Malacia.
The Dutchman revealed on Friday that it was a hard sell persuading players to buy into his rebuilding project, but he believes it is already clear that won't be the case again this summer.
Ten Hag has won the Carabao Cup and reached the FA Cup final in his first season and hopes to deliver a top-four finish in the Premier League over the remaining four games of the season.
Asked if recruiting players will be easier even if United don't qualify for the Champions League, he said: 'I see a big difference in comparison with last year. There were a lot of reservations last year when I spoke with players.
'Now, many players see what's going on—the dynamic and the ambition in this project, the quality especially. They are really keen to come; I've noticed that.
'It looks like there were a lot of reservations last year, a lot of doubts when we approached players. This year, many quality players really want to come.
'Expectations are higher, but we also have to acknowledge where we were last season and the last few seasons.
'We have to rebuild and reconstruct. We are in that process and in the right direction. You can see that in the way we play. We are more proactive.
'You can see it in how we have already won one trophy and are in another final. We're also in the top four at the moment, and we have to stay there.
'Of course, we have to get better every day. We have to work and improve. That is the demand on everyone at this club—the staff and the players especially, but also everyone else.'
blogpay
