Jamie Carragher and Thomas Tuchel agree over Manchester United’s mindset this season

Manchester United are set for a transitional season, but they are not going to let the campaign pass them by.
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Thomas Tuchel and Jamie Carragher agree on Manchester United’s approach to the new season.

It has been a difficult few years for United, who have gone through new managers far quicker than they would have liked to.

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This season will be the start of another new era, with Ajax boss Erik ten Hag taking over following Ralf Rangnick’s interim spell.

In many ways, the coming campaign is expected to be a transitional one, with Ten Hag not expected to mount a serious title challenge in his first season in charge.

It takes time for managers to install new ideas and new ways of playing, and Ten Hag will want a very specific way of playing.

It is also going to take time for the Dutchman to get the squad he wants as new signings begin to arrive this summer.

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But United are not going to let the season pass them by, and that’s something both Chelsea boss Tuchel and Sky Sports pundit Carragher agree on.

“If you look at the transfer period of Tottenham with Antonio Conte, it’s maybe the strongest team they ever built,” Tuchel said recently.

“Manchester United will not give in, Arsenal will not give in - they’ve made two big signings already.

“We are aware of the situation and will do our best to be competitive.”

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Meanwhile, Carragher told Sky Sports when analysing the appointment of Ten Hag: “Is the appointment an admission from Man Utd it will take time to get back to the top? I doubt Manchester United are automatically writing off next season or the year after.

Erik ten Hag hopes Christian Eriksen will provide goals for his strikers. Credit: Getty.Erik ten Hag hopes Christian Eriksen will provide goals for his strikers. Credit: Getty.
Erik ten Hag hopes Christian Eriksen will provide goals for his strikers. Credit: Getty.

“They’re Man Utd, I’m sure they’ll spend big in the summer. You think of the players they’ve brought in this summer: Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane. They weren’t buying these players to compete in the top four, they were going for the title.

“Of course, you’ve got Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, and the teams Liverpool and Manchester City have will be tough to catch next season, but I don’t think Manchester United ever go into a season writing it off and saying they’re not going for the title.

“People talk about Manchester United changing managers a lot but a lot of managers there have had two or three years. Jose Mourinho had three years, Louis van Gaal was the same, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had two or three, I don’t think you can expect more than that out of a manager at a top club anywhere now.

“You’re not going to get five years unless you’re making really good progress year-in year-out. Two years is enough for any manager, if there’s no sign of progression it should be changed.”