Manchester United icon Roy Keane believes Erik ten Hag must guide his club into the top four next season.
The Dutchman had been set for the sack after a nightmare campaign last time out, with the Red Devils finishing eighth in the Premier League table.
But United’s dramatic 2-1 FA Cup final win over Manchester City has seen Ten Hag stay, with the 54-year-old since going on to sign a new contract at the club.
Keane believes Ten Hag penning a new deal gives him some ‘breathing space’.
Roy Keane has set Erik ten Hag a target as Man Utd prepare for the start of the new Premier League season
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Yet he’s warned the Dutchman that he can’t afford another bad season and believes United must secure a spot in the top four next term.
Speaking on Stick to Football, the ex-Red Devils captain said: “The cup game gave him [Erik ten Hag] some breathing space and rightly so, but he can’t be finishing eighth next year.
“They [Manchester United] have to be competing next year in the top four, it’s going to be hard to win but it’s about competing, the records they’ve created the last twelve months in the league, it’s so poor.”
Keane also doesn’t think a new contract means Ten Hag is safe.
United previously parted ways with Jose Mourinho in 2018, just six months after he’d renewed his deal.
And they axed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a club legend, in November 2021 just months after he’d also extended his stay.
Keane added: “He only had one year left on his contract and they didn’t want the uncertainty going into the new season.
“The clauses will still be the same and it’s not to mean that they won’t get rid of him in October or November, it’s just a message to give him a backing.”
There have been some big changes at United in recent times.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchased a minority stake in the club in December and has immediately tinkered with the club’s hierarchy.
Omar Berrada has been brought in from Manchester City to be their new CEO, while Southampton were raided for Jason Wilcox, who has become United’s technical director.
After a long pursuit, Dan Ashworth has finally arrived as sporting director.
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Roy Keane feels Erik ten Hag must steer Man Utd into the Premier League top four next season
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And United have also tinkered with their coaching staff, with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robert Henke coming in.
Van Nistelrooy has impressed players since his return to Old Trafford, having become a club icon during his career.
And Amad has hailed Van Nistlerooy and the impact he’s had so far.
“He’s trying to get us to score more goals,” said the 22-year-old, who plays his international football for the Ivory Coast.
Roy Keane feels Erik ten Hag winning a trophy with Man Utd and getting a new deal has given the Dutchman some ‘breathing space’
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“If we want to win something this season we need to score a lot of goals.
“That is why he makes training. I’m happy to do that with Ruud and the manager.”