'I am a realistic man' - Erik ten Hag opens up on Man Utd's Champions League hopes

Erik ten Hag is aware that Manchester United will struggle to qualify for the Champions League this season and admits he is a 'realistic man'.

With a mounting injury crisis and important fixtures on the horizon, Ten Hag admitted he knows United will need to 'catch up' if they are to be competitive for the remainder of the season.

The Red Devils travel to Chelsea for a Premier League clash on Thursday, but they will be without the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw. A win would only cut the gap on fourth-place Aston Villa to eight points and Tottenham Hotspur in fifth to six points.

Addressing the current standard of the top-flight and the chances United have of reaching next season's Champions League, Ten Hag said: "I have high standards and I would be disappointed if we didn't qualify. I know it will be very difficult because we are not in a good position.

"But we want to win every game, that is the standard we have here among each other. We will keep going and keep believing in those standards. We have to catch up. Also I know we have had a lot of problems so I am a realistic man.

"In a competition that is so competitive and the teams are so close in terms of levels with each other, then you need the players to be available to make a consistent team to bring the routines in your way of play.

"If you have to make compromises your levels will drop, you will drop points. If you play in a consistent team your levels will go up. When you bring in the best players in your squad you will collect more points and that is a fact."

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