Mauricio Pochettino has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur's target for the season must be to secure Champions League qualification.

Spurs finished fifth in the Argentine's first campaign at White Hart Lane, six points behind Manchester United, as they were once again forced to settle for a spot in the Europa League.

However, Pochettino is confident that his side will produce a better challenge for a top-four spot this season ahead of Saturday's trip to Old Trafford to meet United.

"We expect a very important season," he told reporters. "The Premier League is very difficult and we need to compete with the size of the teams. We need to do better than last season.

"We expect to start with a very tough game at Old Trafford and we need to do better there than last season too."

Spurs continue their preparations for the new season by facing Real Madrid in the Audi Cup on Tuesday.