Erik ten Hag reveals Manchester United target for next season

Manager Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to "compete for the top two" in the Premier League next season after bagging third spot this time around.

United brought the curtain down on their maiden league campaign under Ten Hag with a 2-1 win over Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, ensuring they finished third in the table. The Reds won all of their last four matches, meaning they will head into Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City with a spring in their step.

Regardless of the outcome against City, United have enjoyed a highly successful maiden campaign under Ten Hag, clinching a top-four finish, securing Champions League qualification for next season, and winning the Carabao Cup. Their Wembley triumph in February marked the end of their six-year wait for a trophy.

READ MORE: Erik ten Hag makes brutal admission about David de Gea's role next term

Even though undisputed progress has been made by the club this season, Ten Hag wants his side to build on this season's success next term, urging them to improve their overall standards.

"My hope is that we have to do better," said Ten Hag, speaking at the club's end-of-season awards ceremony. "We always have to do better.

"We have a foundation, we have a good base and we have to do better. We still have one game to go this season and it is a great opportunity to make a next step.

"After that we then have the summer and we have to increase our standards to do even better. The competition is tough and our competitors also reach higher levels, so we have to do at least the same.

"But I don't think it is good enough. We don't want to stay here; we want to go higher up, we want to increase our levels and compete for the top two.

"We have to demand more and