Owen Hargreaves gives Erik ten Hag prediction for current season as Man Utd 'can win a major trophy'

The 54-year-old Dutchman led United to the League Cup in 2023, the first major trophy for the Red Devils since their Europa League triumph in 2017.

However, Ten Hag missed out on the FA Cup in the 2022–23 season after United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Wembley in 2023.

The former Ajax boss took revenge for last season's 2023 Cup final defeat when United beat Manchester City 2-1 in the 2024 FA Cup final at Wembley in May.

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Hargreaves talks about Man Utd and Ten Hag

Erik ten Hag's side started their Carabao Cup campaign with a 7-0 win over League One side Barnsley at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

United will begin their Europa League campaign on September 25 at Old Trafford against FC Twente, for whom Ten Hag played as a player.

The defence of the FA Cup title has not yet begun for the Red Devils at the time of writing, but Owen Hargreaves is convinced that United can win another title.

The former United and England midfielder believes the Europa League could be the competition Ten Hag's men could win in the 2024-25 season.

The Red Devils last won the competition under former United manager Jose Mourinho, while Ajax suffered a 2-0 defeat in the Europa League final in Stockholm.

“They are in the Europa League this season and that is a competition they can win,” Hargreaves told Football365.

“We saw how they did in the Champions League last season and that wasn't great, to put it politely. I think they're better off this season being in a competition they can win.”

“The season is long for a reason and you have to give the players and managers time. You can't make big changes after three or four games.”

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Hargreaves sends message to Ten Hag

Ten Hag secured his future at United in the summer after signing a new contract extension, but the Red Devils head coach has faced criticism at the start of the new season.

United beat Fulham 1-0 at Old Trafford in their Premier League opening game in August, before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Brighton and a 3-0 loss to Liverpool at the Amex.

After the September international break, Ten Hag's men returned to winning ways with a ten-man 3-0 victory over Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday.

Hargreaves has warned Ten Hag that he must “commit to his best team” and stick with them in the future to avoid the tide turning against him.

“People have every right to be critical of the way United have played over the last few seasons,” he said.

“At the end, Erik will tell you that they won a few trophies and that’s a great point.

“It wasn’t the prettiest football at times, but he won trophies and that secured his job.

“United have had a difficult start to the season. The games against Brighton and Liverpool were not great, but they have a lot of good players and you need to give them time to improve.

“If you look at all the top teams, you know who's going to play every week, but with United you don't know. You don't know what their centre-back partnership is going to be, who's going to be on the flanks, who's going to be up front.

“Ten Hag has to decide who his best team is and he has to choose his best team. If he can do that, he will believe he has a chance.”

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