Erik ten Hag feels Manchester United have less strength in depth compared "with other top clubs in the Premier League".
The Dutchman's injury-hit side finished eighth in the Premier League last season; their lowest final position in the competition.
However, the Red Devils did manage to secure European football for the 2024-25 campaign after beating rivals Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final.
Ten Hag was heavily linked with a departure from Old Trafford, but recently extended his stay with the club until 2026, and he acknowledges United are still a work in progress.
"Last season, we constantly had injuries to players in the same positions, all at the back. At one point, we had almost no defenders available," he told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.
"When we started here, United hadn't won a trophy for six years, and it really wasn't because they didn't have good managers here.
"It does say something about the composition and quality of the player group. I knew that when I started, of course, but they were players with long-term contracts.
"We were and still are in that process [of building]. If you compare our squad with other top clubs in the Premier League, we certainly have a bit less in terms of depth. That is exactly why we found it so difficult to deal with those injuries."
Ten Hag also reflected on that FA Cup final against City, a game which was widely expected to spell the end for the Dutchman had United lost.
But the 54-year-old is not concerned by his job security.
"Let's face it: you lose too many matches, it just takes strength to keep the team focused and motivated every time," he added. "The players are disappointed, the people around you are disappointed.
"There was so much going on at that stage, but I still firmly believed that we could win that final. The most important thing of all was to convey that belief to my team. I had to be careful that the entire environment did not become negative in advance.
"If United's management find someone tomorrow who they think is better, then I'll go. It's that simple. Those are the mechanisms in football that you have to respect. At a club like this, it is crystal clear: if you don't win, you have a problem."
Branthwaite focused on new season with Everton amid Man Utd interest
Jarrad Branthwaite says he is feeling confident and ready to "keep learning" with Everton ahead of the new season, despite interest from Manchester United.
The Red Devils have seen two offers rejected for the 22-year-old defender, who is valued between £70-£80million by the Toffees.
Branthwaite made 41 appearances for Everton last term, with his impressive performances earning him the club's Players' Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season awards.
He also received his first senior England call-up and was named in Gareth Southgate's provisional Euro 2024 squad, though he was ultimately left out of the final 26.
And Branthwaite hopes he can continue building on that momentum heading into the 2024-25 campaign.
"I think for me, it's just about taking what I learned from last season, and the season before, and putting it all together," he told Everton's official website.
"I think last season, playing all the games I did, helped me put performances in and get the experience I needed. I'm going to take that into this season and keep learning.
"When you've got a good defensive record, it gives you confidence going into the new season.
"It's not just the defenders who contribute to that, it's the whole team, and it's the way the manager has us set up to give us the best possible chance to win games and to pick up as many points as we can.
"I think it'll be the same again this season. Hopefully, we can pick up a few wins early on and get the momentum going in the new season."
Everton also confirmed on Friday that The Friedkin Group will not be buying a majority stake in the club, having been granted a period of exclusivity last month.
CF Montreal v Toronto FC: Herdman promises changes for Canadian 'six-pointer'
John Herdman has pledged to work on Toronto FC's shortcomings ahead of Saturday's derby versus CF Montreal, which he has described as a "six-pointer".
Toronto ended a miserable 10-game winless run by beating the Philadelphia Union 2-1 last weekend but were then brought crashing back to earth in midweek.
An Inter Miami team without Lionel Messi or Sergio Busquets, and with Luis Suarez limited to a substitute role, beat the Reds 3-1 to leave them eighth in the Eastern Conference.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to Quebec, Herdman said getting on the right side of the fine margins must be their focus, saying: "We'll fix some things.
"We'll fix our set-pieces and move forward. We've got to look, mentally, at how we stay stronger, collectively, tactically how we adjust to manage these tougher periods.
"We will own this together and next task is on to Montreal. We've got two days to get ready for Montreal. Massive game. Six-pointer. We'll get after it.
Winger Derrick Etienne Jr., meanwhile, thinks the match comes at an ideal time.
"It comes at the right time," he said. "We want to get back to winning ways and I don't think there is any better way than getting a win in the derby."
Montreal are level on points with Toronto but are on the rise after a 1-0 win over Atlanta United and Wednesday's 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls, coming from behind twice in the latter game.
Mathieu Choiniere put through his own net in midweek but has impressed this season amid speculation he could leave the club, and boss Laurent Courtois has moved to highlight his contribution.
"He wants to give everything for his club, and I need Mathieu, not only for his versatility but also for the mentality and identity we want to have here," Courtois said.
"Now the player wants to get something to feel more valued, and at the end of the day we're all the same right? You just want to be valued for what you give, and he gives a lot."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
CF Montreal – Josef Martinez
Martinez scored both of Montreal's goals off the bench on Wednesday, his 22nd multi-goal MLS match and his second as a substitute.
The striker's 22 multi-goal games are tied for third most in league history.
Toronto FC – Federico Bernardeschi
Bernardeschi has scored six goals in five matches against Montreal, including a hat-trick in the rivals' last meeting.
Only Brian White (seven versus St. Louis City) has scored more goals against a single opponent in MLS since Bernardeschi joined the league in July 2022.
MATCH PREDICTION – CF MONTREAL WIN
Montreal have won five straight home matches against Toronto, the longest home winning streak by either team against the other in the history of the series (54 matches).
They twice came from behind against the Red Bulls on Wednesday and have now lost just two of their last 11 matches (three wins, six draws). With home advantage on their side, they will be favourites.
Indeed, Toronto are winless in their last eight away games (two draws, six losses), including losing their last five road matches in a row.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
CF Montreal – 56.1%
Toronto FC – 21.2%
Draw – 22.7%
Morata joins Milan on four-year deal
Milan have completed the signing of Spain captain Alvaro Morata from Atletico Madrid.
The striker, who will wear the number seven shirt with the Rossoneri, has put pen to paper on a four-year deal at San Siro, with the option of an additional year.
Morata is fresh from leading Spain to their record-breaking fourth European Championship triumph at Euro 2024, following a 2-1 victory over England in the final.
The 31-year-old becomes Paulo Fonseca's first major signing since replacing Stefano Pioli in the Milan dugout.
This will be Morata's second spell in Italy, having scored 59 goals in 185 appearances across two separate stints with Juventus, where he won successive Serie A titles in 2015 and 2016.
He could make his debut when Milan host Torino in their opening match of the 2024-25 season on August 17.
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