Erik ten Hag must test Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's transfer prediction at Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United prediction from a couple of years ago is set to be tested out by Erik ten Hag in the summer.

United suffered a major setback to their hopes of reaching the top four on Saturday following defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Nuno Tavares gave the Gunners the lead before a controversial penalty doubled Mikel Arteta's side's advantage.

Cristiano Ronaldo's well-taken goal moments later gave the visitors hope, but Bruno Fernandes' missed penalty in the second half was the turning point. United failed to make it 2-2, and then Granit Xhaka's stunning strike ensured the three points would remain in North London.

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United are now six points off fourth place having played a game more than Arsenal. And with Champions League football for Ten Hag's first season now looking unlikely, the comments of his predecessor have resurfaced.

Solskjaer told Sky Sports in 2020: "The Champions League gives the club resources, more money, that is one thing. It is a prestigious tournament to be in of course.

"If we play well the rest of the season and players that we might want are impressed by that it might be easier to convince them. So this season with the Europa League, if next season is with or without Champions League I wouldn't say that is the be-all and end-all for a player to sign for us."

United will be hoping that they can improve their form between now and the end of the season to help them attract the big names.

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