Erik ten Hag is putting in the right building blocks to get Manchester United challenging for the biggest honours once again but it is too soon to declare the Red Devils are back, says Andrew Cole.
United earned their first piece of major silverware in six years by beating Newcastle United 2-0 in Sunday's EFL Cup final at Wembley, with first-half goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford enough to seal victory.
It is the latest tick in a first season of positives under Ten Hag, whose side still harbour trophy ambitions in the FA Cup and Europa League, while a Premier League title charge is not out of the question, albeit they trail leaders Arsenal by eight points.
Red Devils legend Cole, part of the famous 1999 treble-winning United side, acknowledged the upward trajectory Ten Hag has the club on but cautioned there is still a long way to go to bridge the gap to rivals Manchester City, who have won the title in four of the past five seasons and are only two points adrift of the Gunners this time around.
"We need to remember a lot of teams [used to] disregard the League Cup, now the League Cup has become a big competition," Cole told Stats Perform.
"I'm very, very happy obviously we won the League Cup and with Ten Hag, but let's put things into perspective here, it's his first season. We've got to be very honest, we know there's a big gap between ourselves and Manchester City.
"We can talk about at the present moment there's only five points difference but if we look at the whole of the last few seasons we've not been close.
"So, I'm not going to look at this year and say 'we're back'. It's fantastic that we've had the opportunity to win the cup, but I think we're still a little bit away. If we keep improving like we are at the moment it won't be too much longer."
Cole, who scored 121 goals in 275 appearances for United, believes the EFL Cup triumph is only part of the process to getting the club challenging regularly for league titles once again.
"I was sitting here watching the game and hoping that this is the start of something new," he added.
"To win the league you've got to be the best team for 38 games. So that's the process, that takes time, that's not going to take you one or two years, it's going to take a little bit longer.
"If you look at for instance, Manchester City, they've won the League Cup numerous times, then they've gone on to win the league numerous times.
"I think he's [Ten Hag] building blocks. If you look at his building blocks, obviously Manchester United are in a position where they've won the League Cup. But let's build on that. Get from now to the end of the season finished in the Champions League spot. And then you go next season.
"I'm not going to sit and say Manchester United are going to win the league next season. I know how difficult that's going to be. Just because we won the League Cup this season I don't believe we're going to win the Premier League next season by 15 points. No, it doesn't quite happen like that, everything is a process."
United have had plenty of false dawns since legendary manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, with the likes of Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all ultimately falling short in their attempts to restore past glories – even though the two former coaches did win trophies.
Cole believes Ten Hag can lean on Ferguson for advice but ultimately step out of his shadow.
"I think with Ten Hag we all know he's got a pinch on the game and how he wants to run the football club, he's very good with discipline," he said.
"From the outside looking in, I could say possibly that's what Ten Hag is doing at Manchester United - leaning on Sir Alex Ferguson for his knowledge.
"But at some stage you're going to look at things and address things in a totally different way. So, I think to take it on board that Sir Alex Ferguson is there and he's going to be there period.
"There's no point to try to fight against him because I think when people try and fight against it then it seems to cause more problems than anything else, it seems like they've got a very good relationship which is only a positive thing."
Jamaica's young Reggae Girlz out of contention at U-20 Champs, after 0-4 loss to US
Jamaica’s wait to qualify for a FIFA Women’s Under-20 World Cup has been prolonged, as the young Reggae Girlz suffered a second-consecutive 0-4 defeat, this time at the hands of United States, at the Concacaf Under-20 Championships in Dominican Republic on Sunday.
A hat-trick from Madeline Dahlien (10th, 47th and 79th) and one from Tessa Dellarose (49th) saw the reigning seven-time champions to victory which secured them a semi-final berth along with Canada, who earlier registered a 5-0 win over Panama.
Both United States and Canada, are on six points each and will decide Group A winners in a top-of-the-table clash on Tuesday, while the Jamaicans and Panamanians are to meet in a contest of academic interest on the same day.
While it was a much-improved showing from the young Reggae Girlz in part, when compared to their 0-4 opening loss to Canada, they simply lacked the pedigree of their United States counterparts.
The Hugh Bradford-coached Girlz showed more heart defensively and did manage to show some semblance of individual flair when in possession, but again offered very little on the attacking front.
It took only 10 minutes for US to break the deadlock when Dahlien breached the backline and fired past Liya Brooks.
They continued to apply consistent pressure and found a few more openings but faulty shooting proved their undoing as they failed to hit the target.
That coupled with the fact that the young Reggae Girlz were more organized at the back, resulted in the score remaining 1-0 at the break.
However, the Girlz first half accomplishments quickly went out like a candle in the wind, as the US attackers went straight to work on the resumption. A weighted cross from Onyeka Gamero was expertly met by Dahlien beating Brooks to her left, two minutes in.
And before the Girlz could regroup, they found themselves further behind when Dellarose’s delightful left-footed strike from about 20-yards out, gave Brooks no chance at a save.
Brooks was better positioned to deny substitute Jill Flammia’s effort from just outside the 18-yard box in the 54th minute, as she got down well to her right to parry onto the upright.
But Dahlien eventually secured her third and a fourth for the US with another easy finish beyond Brooks.
US, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico are set to contest the semi-finals.
The two finalists and third-place team will qualify for next year’s Under-20 World Cup.
Willian would like to extend Fulham stay but no decision made on Brazilian's future
Willian wants to stay put at Fulham, though a decision has yet to be made on the Brazilian's future at Craven Cottage.
The 34-year-old former Chelsea and Arsenal playmaker joined Fulham in September last year and has been a key player for Marco Silva's men this season.
Fulham signed off on an impressive first campaign back in the Premier League with a 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on Sunday, with Willian setting up Kenny Tete's opening goal.
That represented Willian's fifth league assist of the season, and his 10th direct goal contribution in the competition for Fulham.
Willian – who is soon to be out of contract – is unsure if he will be staying in west London, but he would be happy to do so.
"I don't know yet," he told Stats Perform. "Honestly, I have no idea what is going to happen. The future belongs to God.
"If I stay at Fulham, for sure I'll be fine, I'll be happy. I feel very good there, it's a club that welcomed me very well. But if it's somewhere else, I'll try to do my best in the same way.
"I haven't decided yet. We'll see what happens in the next few weeks, what I'll decide. But if I could stay in the Premier League and at Fulham, it would be a good thing for me."
Explaining why he elected to return to England with Fulham, who had been tipped to struggle yet managed to remain well clear of danger, Willian said: "I've always loved the Premier League. That's not news to anyone, everyone knows how much I'm a fan of the league here.
"The Premier League, for me, is the best league in the world.
"Deciding to go to Fulham was a matter of a week or so. I was already in London. I came here to be closer to here and to have some conversations with my manager. It was a matter of a week or so before I decided to go to Fulham.
"I had some talks with Marco Silva as well and I really liked what I talked to him about and what he told me."
Another new signing that has starred for the Cottagers this season is Joao Palhinha, who has impressed as a holding midfielder.
"He's our watchdog," Willian said of the in-demand Portugal international. "He's the watchdog of our team. Without a doubt, he's an important player.
"He's a player who does a fundamental job. As they say in football, he does the dirty work, which is the player who steals a lot of the balls and makes it possible for us to attack the opposition."
Mikel Arteta pleased to see Granit Xhaka given appreciation from Arsenal fans
Mikel Arteta remained tight-lipped about the future of Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka but was pleased to see him get the appreciation he deserved after their 5-0 thrashing of Wolves.
Xhaka netted a first-half double in what is expected to be his final appearance for the Gunners with a summer exit to Bayer Leverkusen in the works and left the pitch to a standing ovation in the 75th minute with supporters’ urging him to stay.
It completes a remarkable turnaround for the Swiss international, who saw his relationship with the Emirates crowd reach an all-time low in the winter of 2019 during a home match with Crystal Palace where he chucked his shirt on the floor before subsequently being stripped of the captaincy.
Arteta convinced Xhaka not to leave Arsenal during the following transfer window and his brace on the final-day saw the 30-year-old finish the campaign with nine goals, his best ever tally.
Asked about Xhaka’s impending departure, Arteta responded: “You know that?
“It’s news for me.”
The Gunners boss was more forthcoming about the reception Xhaka received before, during and after the emphatic victory over Wolves.
“Well deserved. He’s had an incredible season,” Arteta said.
“I think one year back I spoke to him and I told him ‘there’s a question mark on you, you have to deliver more, you have to be better, I’m going to challenge you to play here.’
“He went back and I think he started to train the next day. He came back in preseason four kilos less, fit, with this (focused) face and really willing to do it. He’s been exceptional.
“He’s been a key part of the team, the success of the team and I’m so happy everybody is appreciating what he’s done.”
While the final-day clash was not the league title celebration Arsenals fans would have hoped for back in April, when they held an eight-point lead over champions Manchester City, Arteta’s side still concluded their campaign in front of a party atmosphere.
After Xhaka’s quickfire double, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Jakub Kiwior netted to earn the hosts a 26th league win of the campaign.
When Arteta addressed the packed Emirates crowd after full-time, he was repeatedly serenaded and the Spaniard expressed his delight at finishing on a good note.
He added: “It was really nice the way they transmitted their love and support to the team, to every player, and obviously to me as well.
“It’s been a really emotional year and a very special season. The team and our people deserved to end it in a good way so I’m really happy.
“It was one of my big dreams to connect again with the soul of this football club – that’s our people. We have done that and there’s no discussion about it. That makes me really proud and grateful to be part of that journey together.
“We want to deliver together success and the destination has to be trophies and success for this club, but we have to enjoy the journey together and especially the company.
“I said it especially there because we have special people in this club, an incredible group of players and an amazing support.
“That has to be enjoyed because at the end it’s about winning or not winning the margin, but you cannot underestimate those other things. I think if we don’t do it then we will regret it.”
It proved a memorable finish for Arsenal, but not for Wolves or their manager Julen Lopetegui.
Lopetegui’s future is uncertain given the financial troubles of the Molineux club and he warned another “miracle” is not guaranteed next season.
“We have lost against one of the best teams in the Premier League but the way we have lost, I am not happy,” he said.
“I don’t want to forgot that the second part of season the team has made has been fantastic, being out of relegation (zone) three matches before end.
“That is why I highlight the merit of the players. Maybe it (survival) has been a little miracle and we have to learn for the future.
“Maybe one miracle is possible, two no. That is why you have to learn for the future to be able to improve and do our hard work.”
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