Dimitar Berbatov says will need a ‘miracle’ to win the Premier League next season but has challenged new manager Erik ten Hag to get the club back in the and end their trophy drought.
United endured another underwhelming season under and , finishing sixth in the Premier League and suffering early exits in the Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup.
A points tally of 58 was their worst in the Premier League, while the club have now gone five successive seasons without winning a trophy, with Jose Mourinho the last manager to win silverware at the Theatre of Dreams.
Berbatov is excited by Ten Hag’s arrival at Old Trafford but insists the former Ajax coach will need time to turn Manchester United into trophy contenders.
Ten Hag has been in the job for just over a week, having signed a three-year deal with United to become their fifth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson.
‘I am excited for Manchester United next season under Erik ten Hag,’ Berbatov told . ‘He’s a great coach, he’s worked wonders with Ajax and I’m happy that he has taken charge of United.
‘But let’s wait and see how he approaches things, which players he buys and sells. These are things that will give us signs of what United are going to do next season.
‘Imagine if they win the Premier League in his first season. That would be a miracle.
‘Let’s go back to reality, it’s not going to happen, he needs time, but qualifying for the Champions League and winning a trophy would be a great achievement in his first season.
‘He has to give them something to get them going again. I hope that he can achieve that.’
Berbatov won two Premier League titles and reached two Champions League finals during his four-year spell at Manchester United.
The Bulgaria legend was disappointed by his former club’s form last season and has suggested interim manager Rangnick was ‘overwhelmed’ by the job.
‘Like many people, I expected more from Manchester United this season,’ he added. ‘They didn’t qualify for the Champions League – the basic requirement for a top team – so everyone connected with the club is disappointed with the campaign.
‘It’s been a long time since United were challenging for the Premier League title. They need to keep on building and upgrading if they want to catch Liverpool and City.
‘Was getting rid of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November the right thing to do? We don’t know what would have happened if Solskjaer stayed at United.
‘The reality is he was sacked and in came Ralf Rangnick, but unfortunately the goal of finishing in the top four wasn’t met.
‘Rangnick came with a big reputation, but he hadn’t managed a big club, and sometimes arriving at United can be overwhelming.’
‘I think the players gave their best. Sometimes you make in a game when you overthink things and feel under pressure.
‘United should always have big goals, even when they are going through a difficult period. They are still Manchester United.’
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