2 months ago
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Owen Hargreaves believes Manchester United should fancy their chances of enhancing Erik ten Hag’s trophy record in this season’s Europa League.
An eight-place Premier League finish and a dismal showing in last season’s Champions League means United find themselves back in Europe’s second-tier club competition.
The Red Devils won the competition in 2017 under Jose Mourinho but were unceremoniously dumped out in the quarter-finals by Sevilla two seasons ago when they last featured.
After a stuttering start to their latest league campaign, which has seen them win just two of their first five games, United may be forced to place their hopes of a trophy in cup competitions once again.
But away from the Champions League spotlight, Hargreaves believes Ten Hag will be eyeing up success on the continent to collect his third trophy the Red Devils having won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in his first two seasons.
‘I think when you’re in the Champions League and you’re not at the level of the other teams you get found out real quick,’ Hargreaves told Metro.co.uk ahead of the Europa League’s return on TNT Sports.
‘Last year was quite disappointing, the issues that they had in the Champions League but I think winning the Europa League is super realistic for them with the squad that they have and I wouldn’t put it past them.
‘If they could find another way to win a trophy then Ten Hag will be there for a while still.’
The former United midfielder continued: ‘I think back to Arsenal when they kept getting smashed by Bayern seven one – it’s not really good for you if you keep getting beat that heavily.
‘So I think for United right now, they’re probably in the right place where they can actually go and win that competition.’
Asked about United’s start to the season, Hargeaves pulled no punches, saying: ‘It’s not been good enough and what anybody expected, especially after they had a good summer in terms of recruitment.
‘They have got to get kick-started and Europe is a huge opportunity for all the players. I know they want to be in the Champions League, but I think sometimes you’re better off being in a competition where you can win it.’
‘I love watching Kobbie Mainoo play’
Having broken into the first team midway through last season, Kobbie Mainoo is likely to make his first Europa League appearance against Twente on Wednesday.
The teenager has not yet appeared fully back up to speed after a lengthy summer away with England at Euro 2024, but Hargeaves is hopeful that the arrival of Manuel Ugarte can help Mainoo thrive and improve United’s midfield balance.
‘I just love watching Kobbie Mainoo play,’ he said. ‘He just plays like he’s in his garden with his mates. He’s amazing, so calm and so composed.
‘I do think they need to improve the balance in and around that midfield, though. All the guys can play and are beautiful players but when you’re in a game, there’s one ball and 22 players.
‘If you don’t have it, you got to get it back. I think United, especially last season, had issues with that and at the start of the season, it hasn’t been the way we anticipated with the summer they had.
‘Ugarte is going to improve that a lot,’ Hargeaves continued. ‘He’s brilliant and can be that presser that wins the ball in the middle of the park. He’s exceptional but again the whole team has got to defend a little bit better from the front.’
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