Carra: Man Utd must be in Champions League | De Jong would be 'top class'

Jamie Carragher has admitted it "doesn't feel right" to see Manchester United competing in the Europa League but says it will not be easy for them to return to the top four this season.

United finished sixth in the Premier League in what was a hugely disappointing 2021/22 campaign, which saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked in November and interim replacement Ralf Rangnick endure an underwhelming sixth-month spell in charge.

The club failed to lift a trophy for the fifth successive season and were eliminated from the Champions League at the last-16 stage by Atletico Madrid.

All of that means United will be competing in the Europa League for the third time in four seasons, and they will do so under Erik ten Hag, who left Ajax to replace Rangnick at Old Trafford this summer.

The Dutchman has enjoyed a positive start on the pitch, with United thrashing Liverpool in Thailand in his first game before also overseeing wins over Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace in Australia.

When asked by Sky Sports News if he was "nervous" that United may be capable of competing for the title in Ten Hag's first season, former Liverpool defender Carragher said: "I wouldn't say nervous. I think there's a long road for United that they're on at the moment in terms of challenging for the title.

"I think the first thing when it comes to Ten Hag and the players they're bringing in will be, 'we need to get this club back in the Champions League where it belongs'. That's where Manchester United should be.

"They're one of the biggest clubs in the world, never mind this country, so to not be in the Champions League just doesn't feel right, not when United are in the Europa League.

"So I think that's the first thing and I think once United do that, then