da bet esporte： The Red Devils have not made a serious bid for the Premier League since 2013 but after a satisfying transfer window they have no excuses left

da esoccer bet： Last season was an uplifting campaign for Manchester United as Erik ten Hag led a dishevelled team out of the darkness of their worst ever Premier League season and towards a bright new future. The Dutchman immediately secured a return to the Champions League by leading United to third in the league, beating all their major rivals at least once.

He also delivered a first major trophy in six years by lifting the Carabao Cup and led his team to the FA Cup final. There was also an exciting Europa League campaign and a night to savour when they knocked out Barcelona. Ten Hag has certainly got United heading towards where they want to be.

They are not there yet, however, as demonstrated by a series of harrowing defeats last season to Sevilla, Manchester City, Brentford, and the 7-0 thrashing by Liverpool. Now, they need to take the next step, which means making a serious challenge for the Premier League title. United have not made a proper push for the league since they last won it in 2013 and last season their faint hopes of catching Arsenal and City ended in January.

Ten Hag has got all the targets he wanted after signing Mason Mount,Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana for £165 million ($209m). He has been given the authority to revamp the squad, urging the club to make a U-turn on David de Gea's contract and cutting their losses on Harry Maguire.

Now it's up to him to lead the club back to where they truly belong, which is winning the biggest trophies. The Carabao Cup will not suffice this season, and it's time for United to go all out to win a first Premier League title in 11 years and make a real statement in the Champions League.

(C)Getty ImagesRealistic expectations

Ten Hag has played down talk of winning the title and does not want to raise expectations too much, despite another big summer of spending. Given City's recent hegemony and the transfer activities of Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle, another top-four finish, while getting to another Cup final, would be seen as a good season on the domestic front.

But it is also important how the season goes. Bowing out of any title race early on and then scraping fourth would not be enough. While overhauling City might be too much of an ask, United should at least push Guardiola's side as much as they can and remain in the race until March or April.

The Red Devils should also be aiming to go deep in the Champions League. They have not reached the semi-finals since 2011 and only hurdled the last-16 stage twice since then. Getting into the last eight is a must.

Turning to the players, even more will be expected of Marcus Rashford after scoring 30 goals last season. He might struggle to match that tally but there is hope that the new signings will ease the goalscoring burden on the England striker. It will also be a big season for Alejandro Garnacho, who had a stunning breakthrough last year.

The Argentine was a superb impact substitute, scoring against Wolves, Fulham, Leeds and West Ham from the bench and almost finding an equaliser in the FA Cup final. Now the challenge is for him to be as effective when he starts games and to try and hold down a starting position.

AdvertisementGetty Best-case scenario

Whisper it quietly, but United could win the Premier League. Last year they were playing catch-up after a dreadful start but if they can get off on the right foot and build confidence early, then they have a chance.

Pep Guardiola's side may be treble winners but they have lost two players who were crucial to that success, Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan, and it will be difficult to maintain the squad's hunger after winning practically everything.

Ten Hag has had more than a year to assess his squad, has made big changes such as getting rid of David de Gea and Harry Maguire, and got the transfer targets he wanted. And previous signings such as Tyrell Malacia and Antony should improve in their second year with the team. Winning the title might not be likely, but it is possible.

Winning the Champions League is likely to be a bridge too far, though, as United are not yet on the level of the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid and would struggle in a two-legged tie with City. But getting to the quarter-finals, provided they get a kind draw, is more than doable.

GettyWorst-case scenario

Failing to finish in the top-four would be a disaster for United after the summer they have had and all the progress they made last season. But it is entirely possible.

They are far from the only top team to have spent big over the summer. Liverpool have also made a big statement in the transfer market, landing Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and the exciting Dominik Szoboszlai, while they are set to further bolster their midfield. They will be determined to return to the top four, as will Chelsea.

Newcastle will want to prove they are here to stay after qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, while Arsenal look set to build on their thrilling last campaign after signing Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Kai Havertz and David Raya, spending over £230m ($291m).

Since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, United have only once managed to secure back-to-back top-four finishes. A promising campaign has often been followed by a disappointing one. It could well happen again.

Failing to get out of the Champions League group stage would also be hard to swallow but also can't be ruled out, given that Ten Hag's side will not be seeded in the draw.

Getty ImagesThe MVP

After having one of their worst years of his career and experiencing a serious drop in confidence after shoulder surgery, Marcus Rashford turned into the player he had always threatened to be last season. The striker scored 30 goals in a season for the first time and for much of the campaign carried the team on his back.

Rashford has been well rewarded for turning his United career around and is now the the club's highest-paid player. That will bring extra scrutiny and pressure but he has proven before that he can cope with that.

He had to play at centre-forward for several spells last season due to Anthony Martial's injuries and Wout Weghorst's ineffectiveness and although he is due to start the campaign in the role due to Rasmus Hojlund being injured, he will be able to return to his favoured position on the left of the attack when the Dane returns.