Erik ten Hag believes that Manchester United qualifying for the Champions League this season will be critical to his rebuilding project, and he has hinted that more players are interested in joining the club with the Reds on pace for a top-four finish.
The chairman also mentioned that match scheduling will help next year's tasks, with supporters hoping for a title challenge. The Thursday-Sunday schedule is generally difficult for Premier League teams in the Europa League and Conference League.
United has only played five Saturday games this season. In addition to calendar concerns, the club's finances were severely harmed by the club's failure to qualify for this season's Champions League.
As part of a pre-agreement, all players' salaries were decreased by 25%, while United's negotiating leverage was limited, but not tainted, according to Ten Hag. He intimated that there is "more interest" in the club now that a top-four finish is possible.
"All the big players want to play in the Champions League," Ten Hag told Sky Sports. "Manchester United is a big club. In the period I've been here, I've noticed everyone wants to play for Manchester United."
"Now it looks like we are in the Champions League, there is even more interest because they know we are in the Champions League and the Premier League at a high level. So, qualification will be important."
United have failed to qualify for the Champions League twice in the last five years and haven't advanced past the Round of 16 since the 2018/19 season. Ten Hag explained why the club's participation in the competition is so important.
He added: "In the Champions League you face the best teams across Europe, the best managers, in the best stadiums. For the players, they face the best players and [as a team] you are in a better league schedule, that is also important."
While Erik Ten Hag is busy drafting out his plans ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window, the 53 year old hinting that he is currently not to sure about the size of the club's budget which would have a major impact on what and how transactions will be conducted by the 20 times Premier League Champions in the transfer market.
As the takeover saga continues, Erik ten Hag is unaware of Manchester United's summer spending power.
The board of the Old Trafford giants revealed in November that it was considering a full sale as one option for investigating strategic alternatives to boost the club's growth.
Sheikh Jassim and Jim Ratcliffe both submitted proposals on Friday, the third and likely final deadline for parties to make offers to purchase the club.
The Glazer family must now determine how to move forward, which poses a risk to the advancements accomplished during Ten Hag's first season in command.
United is on track to finish in the top four and has a chance to add the FA Cup to the Carabao Cup. But even the manager is unsure of the funding for improvements.
Ten Hag responded when asked if he has been assured that he has the resources to spend this summer as he pleases, regardless of how the takeover process turns out.
"No, I don't have. I don't have influence on that, I don't have... also I don't know."
"The only thing what I know is that Man United is one of the biggest clubs and I think it's among maybe (the) two biggest clubs in the world from a fanbase perspective."
"So, I think this club has to compete for the highest in the world, so Champions League, Premier League."
"But in football you need funds to construct squads because in the end of the day the level from your players makes if you are successful or not."
Ten Hag says "everyone knows you need funds to construct a squad" and that "high level players cost a lot of money" in elite football.
"I, we see this as a project," the United boss said. "In a project also it belongs that you are in windows, that you strengthen your squad needs or to make refreshments, so that you get more balance, definitely, and you bring young players in.
"But I think we already have shown and proved that we can beat the best teams in the world, so, yeah, I think we can compete in the Champions League.
"But at the end of the day we want to be in the winter also in the Champions League and we want to compete, and knock them all out, so then we have a way to go."
After defeating Aston Villa 1-0 against the backdrop of protests against the Glazers on Sunday, United is getting ready to play Brighton in the Premier League on Thursday.
After the game at Old Trafford, Ten Hag was seen picking up a green and gold scarf as he made his way down the tunnel and holding it up before tossing it back to the crowd.
When questioned if it was a show of support for the fans, the United manager responded: "No, it was just polite. But I know what's going around, what the symbol of it is, but this matter was just polite."
At this point in the season, Ten Hag has, sensibly, refrained from openly criticizing his bosses, but it is clear that he is eager for information regarding the club's future.
Ten Hag responded when asked how crucial it is to conclude the acquisition procedure as quickly as possible.
Asked how important it is to get the takeover process resolved as soon as possible, Ten Hag said: "Yeah, I think it's clear what I want but it's not up to me.
"It's about others in this club, finally there are the owners and they make the decisions, so it's not up to me.
"So, I do everything I can and I influence the processes I'm in charge of."