Erik ten Hag is confident he won’t have any trouble attracting transfer targets to Old Trafford this summer – even if Manchester United fail to qualify for the Champions League.
Successive defeats have left United in a battle with Liverpool for the last top four spot ahead of the visit of Wolves on Saturday.
But regardless of the uncertainty surrounding their eventual finish and the club’s future ownership, Ten Hag believes players will want to join his project – unlike 12 months ago.
“I see a big difference in comparison with last year,” Ten Hag said. “There were a lot of reservations last year when I spoke with players.
“And now many players see the project, 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.”
Last summer’s protracted move for Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong was just one deal that failed to materialise for Ten Hag in his first few months in the job.
After clinching the Carabao Cup in his debut season, the Dutchman has challenged his players to show their courage over the final four league games to secure a return to Europe’s top competition.
“I think in football, particularly top football, it is always a test,” he said.
“We can take confidence and take belief because we have proven we’ve beat the best teams in the world.
“But yes, it’s a test of courage if we can do [it] because we are in the right position and now we have to finish it.
“It’s a high demand, so it needs high standards so definitely it needs courage. The players and me need to take responsibility for it.”
Ten Hag remains unconcerned about Liverpool, who are seeking a seventh consecutive win at Leicester City on Monday.
“Of course we can ignore it [Liverpool]. Why not?” Ten Hag added . “Because it’s not important. We have everything in our hands and as long as we have things in our hands, so we are in control, as long as that, we are not dependent on them. We are dependent on ourselves.
“It’s clear, we know that but it’s not important because we have everything in our hands.”
United’s recent indifferent form has been undermined by some poor performances by David de Gea, including a howler in defeat to West Ham last time out, although his manager insists dropping him has not been an option.
Ten Hag confirmed the goalkeeper will start against Wolves and United’s cause will also be helped by the return of Raphael Varane.
However, the loss of Marcus Rashford to a leg injury could prove problematic for a team that has scored just once in the last 316 minutes of football.
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