Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag expressed confidence that his team can compete for the Premier League title this season, despite finishing eighth last year. Ten Hag highlighted the belief instilled by their recent trophy wins and emphasized the importance of consistency as they prepare to face Fulham in their opening match. New signings Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, who both have previous experience under Ten Hag at Ajax, are expected to bolster the squad, particularly with injuries to key players like Luke Shaw. Ten Hag defended his recruitment strategy, stating that decisions involve the broader club structure rather than personal favoritism towards Dutch players. He underscored the need for the team to integrate new talent effectively and is particularly optimistic about Mason Mount's potential impact this season. The manager faces pressure to secure a positive start, as a poor result could intensify scrutiny on his position.