Exclusive: 'Not good enough' - Erik ten Hag urges Manchester United to 'step up' ahead of Bayern Munich clash

Manchester United have not been "good enough" on the pitch, and the players need to "step up", manager Erik ten Hag has exclusively told TNT Sports.

In their first five Premier League games of the season, United have won two matches and lost three. Most recently, they suffered a 3-1 defeat against Brighton at Old Trafford.

"We are living in small margins, and so we have to stay calm, but at the same time, we have to step up because this is not good enough," Ten Hag said on his side's start to the season.

United qualified for the Champions League after finishing third in the Premier League last season behind local rivals Manchester City and Arsenal.

Their last appearance in the competition was during the 2021/22 season, when they topped their group but were knocked out in the last 16 by Atletico Madrid.

This season, the club will look to turn things around in their first match of Europe's elite club competition against Bayern Munich, who have bolstered their attack with marquee signing Harry Kane from Tottenham.

The England captain, who was previously linked with a move to United, has scored four goals in four Bundesliga games.

"It's always great to play against Harry Kane but we don't only play against Harry Kane," continued Ten Hag.

"We play against a good side, Bayern Munich. They have very good players. We also have very good players.

"We have to step up. We already showed in many parts of games we are a great team, but we have to do it consistently. This is our chance. We have to prove that if we want to be successful this season, we have to be more consistent."

The tie between Bayern and United is steeped in history, with their most famous meeting coming in the 1999 Champions League final at the Camp Nou.

Mario Basler had opened up the scoring for the German giants with an early free-kick, but United substitutes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer both struck in injury time to secure the European trophy, and, subsequently, the treble.

"I remember 1999. I never forget," said Ten Hag.

"Everyone gets a lot of energy from it and I think the players also do too. When the players face Bayern Munich, managers don't have to say anything. Players are hugely motivated."

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