'We need BETTER players': Ten Hag submits his plea for signings to compete

Erik ten Hag has pleaded with Manchester United to allow him to sign new players to allow the club to compete for the Premier League next season.

In the Dutchman's first year in charge at Old Trafford, he has guided them to the Champions League places, following Thursday's 4-1 win over a dismal Chelsea side.

But in the aftermath of the game, ten Hag told a press conference of reporters that Manchester United have to be strong in their recruitment game if they want to challenge crosstown rivals Manchester City at the top of the tree.

According to Sky Sports, ten Hag said: 'It is a good base to build on but standards have to go up and demands have to rise. We have to work in the summer with this squad but we also have to strengthen in the window with this squad.

'We want to compete for the title but it has to be realistic. It is what is there. Now, we are far away so there is a lot of work to do but we need better players if want to compete for the highest.'

The club have been linked to a number of summer signings in recent weeks. It was previously reported that they are set to make an early bid for Tottenham's Harry Kane, with Chelsea's Mason Mount and West Ham's Declan Rice also rumoured to be on Manchester United's wish list.

On Wednesday, ten Hag refused to rule out the possibility of Manchester United swooping to sign Neymar from PSG.

Future plans for Manchester United may hinge on whether the club is sold. The Glazers started a long selling process earlier in the year, and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani are both contenders in the race, if a deal can be completed by the time the transfer window kicks in.

Speaking directly to Sky Sports following Thursday's win, ten Hag accepted: 'We are in the right direction but we know we are still not there.

'We are back in the Champions League. That is an important step. If you want to be successful you have to be in that competition.'

Manchester United complete their league campaign with Sunday's home fixture against Fulham, before attention turns to the FA Cup final a week later.