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Ralph Hasenhuttl tips Manchester United to ‘challenge for titles THIS season’, with Southampton boss claiming he can already see ‘clear identity’ under Erik ten Hag ahead of clash with his Saints side
- Ralph Hasenhuttl expects Manchester United to be aiming for trophies this year
- United have had a mixed start to the season, losing twice and winning once
- Erik ten Hag’s side beat Liverpool on Monday to take their first win of the season
- They have also strengthened their squad by signing Casemiro from Real Madrid
- Casemiro could get the nod when United make the trip to Saints on Saturday
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Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl expects weekend opponents Manchester United to be eyeing silverware this season, despite an unconvincing start to Erik ten Hag’s reign.
A new era at Old Trafford began with defeat to Brighton and a humiliation at Brentford before United silenced some of their critics by beating bitter rivals Liverpool on Monday evening.
The 20-time English champions, who came into the 2022-23 season on the back of their worst Premier League campaign from a points perspective, have been further boosted by the big-money arrival of midfielder Casemiro from Real Madrid.
Ralph Hasenhuttl expects Manchester United to be challenging for silverware this season
Hasenhuttl was unsurprised to see United struggle in their opening fixtures of the new regime but believes they are already displaying a ‘very clear identity’ under former Ajax boss Ten Hag.
‘This is a team that has a new manager – it is not surprising that it doesn’t work immediately everything perfectly,’ said the Austrian ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at St Mary’s.
‘It would be more surprising when they’re immediately flying.
‘I see a very clear identity of what they’re doing now, what they want to do now.
‘You are speaking still about a top team that is going for titles and will also do this this season.
Hasenhuttl thinks the Red Devils have a clearer identity under boss Erik ten Hag (pictured)
‘If you beat Liverpool, this is a big sign, a big message to everybody that they are definitely in a good way and I see the clear identity of what they want to do and after all the problems they had.
‘They will come with a lot of self confidence.’
United’s deserved 2-1 win over Jurgen Klopp’s Reds came after Ten Hag dropped captain Harry Maguire and star man Cristiano Ronaldo to the bench following the 4-0 humiliation at Brentford.
Hasenhuttl, whose side came from behind to draw 2-2 with Leeds in their opening home match before winning 2-1 at Leicester last week, is unsure how Ten Hag will approach the visit to the south coast.
‘I don’t know if this was the reason why they won the (Liverpool) game,’ he said of the omissions of Maguire and Ronaldo.
United captain Harry Maguire was dropped for their win over Liverpool on Monday night
Striker Marcus Rashford scored what turned out to be the winning goal against Liverpool
Casemiro joined Man United in a £70million deal and could make his debut against Saints
‘Sometimes changes are because of tactical thoughts you have and that makes it always difficult to be sure what squad we are facing.
‘Even if Casemiro is playing it is not 100 per cent clear in what way it is a different squad.
‘We are definitely facing a very strong team here and in the end it’s up to us to keep on going in the way we want to go.
‘We have shown in the last two games that we are competitive and this is the next big challenge and we want to show ourselves how good we are.’