United are on the verge of the Europa League quarter-finals, where they could face Arsenal, having won their first leg against Betis 4-1 at Old Trafford, but they have stumbled in the Premier League of late, falling 16 points behind Arteta’s Arsenal.
While Ten Hag admits there is still a gap between themselves and the top sides, the Dutchman says the Premier League year-to-year can be a seven-horse race, such is the number of clubs with the same ambitions.
“The Premier League was never that difficult as now; there are so many competitors. It is not a two-horse race; it is a five, six, seven-horse race. For what we want, there are six or seven clubs more [who want the same]. We are capable of doing it but we are aware within the club that we still have steps to go.
“I think we have made good progress, but we also have to acknowledge that there is still a gap. I couldn’t expect us to close that gap quickly. We are trying to win every game and we have beaten all of the top teams. We are capable of doing it. We have to take the next step to do it more consistently. With time, we can do it.”
Asked if his side can go unbeaten for the rest of the season, he said: “We are capable of it but now we have to show it again. We can’t think too far ahead and must take it game-by-game.”
