"Money is one thing, but another thing is strategy," Erik ten Hag said. "When I was at Ajax we had a low budget in comparison to many clubs in the Champions League and still we won the groups, we came in semi-final and were close to the final. So it's possible to beat team with higher budgets."
"From my analysis, we are going in the direction," he said. "I think we are building a base this season but we have to progress. You can do that by developing the team.
"You have to play better in every game and in every training (session) you can develop your way of playing and that's what we are doing.
"We are setting higher demands and standards for our players every time and for the rest in the summer we will see. Just now that's not our focus point. Just now it's a better way of play so we have a better chance of winning games."
"Let’s make clear one, thing, we have to play in the Champions League. We’re Manchester United and have to be in it, there can be no misunderstanding," he said.
"Of course we are more interested in being in the Champions League, but even when we’re not we are still attractive for the top players. I noticed that last year.
"Casemiro is a very good example. He has won everything, including the Champions League, but he was willing to come to Manchester United."
United travel to St James' Park on Sunday to take on Newcastle United in the Premier League.
