Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that winning a trophy and finishing in the top four in the Premier League would be considered a successful 2022-23 campaign for the club.
The Red Devils are currently fifth in the Premier League table, three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, albeit with a game in hand on the North London club.
Man United are still in the Europa League, but they will need to overcome Barcelona in a two-legged knockout round playoff in February in order to progress to the last-16 stage of the competition.
Meanwhile, the club will open their EFL Cup campaign at home to Aston Villa on Thursday evening.
When asked what could be considered a successful first season for him at the helm, Ten Hag revealed that he was targeting at least one trophy, in addition to a return to the top four.
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"First, we have to win all the games. For now, it's to get into a position that we can win trophies at the end of the season. That means that when we are coming to the middle of March, to April, we have to be in a position where we can win," Ten Hag told reporters at Wednesday's press conference, which saw him take questions from supporters.
"Until that moment, it is about winning games but also about developing the team, their game and the way the team play. That is the goal.
"It can be a lot (what is a successful season) and it's difficult to say. Of course, when I say I want to win all the games, then you are champion – it's clear [laughs]. But we are playing in a lot of cups and I want to win trophies.
"We want to qualify in the top four. That has to be the aim, to get there. It's going to be hard this season, because from what I've heard around me this is maybe the strongest Premier League in years.
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"There is a lot of competition between the bottom and the top, it's really close together but in the top I think you have seven or eight teams who have all invested a lot.
"It's not one or two teams who have invested a lot, it's not only us but also clubs like Newcastle. They have invested really a lot. West Ham United, also massive investments. Also many more clubs who have invested but we want to be in the top four, it's clear."
Man United saw their recent nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions come to an end on Sunday afternoon when they lost 3-1 to Villa in the Premier League.
The Red Devils are now preparing for Thursday's EFL Cup clash with Villa, which will be followed by a trip to Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday.
Man United will play two friendlies against Cadiz and Real Betis during the World Cup, and they will then be back in competitive action after the competition at home to Nottingham Forest on December 27.
Matt Law
