Erik ten Hag delivers emphatic message with Pep Guardiola ‘worried’

Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag wants to take the club back to the top (Image: Sky Sports)Erik ten Hag says it’s his ambition to take Manchester United back to the top of the Premier League – something Pep Guardiola feels his opposition boss can achieve. The Dutch tactician is now starting to make huge progress at Old Trafford following a rocky start to life in the hot-seat after replacing Ralf Rangnick this summer.Having collected 20 points from 11 Premier League matches ahead of the visit of West Ham, United are well and truly in the mix for Champions League qualification.United’s exciting turnaround now has Guardiola worried that Man City’s noisy neighbours are finally coming up the hill – after years of mediocrity in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.Despite thrashing United 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium in early October, the Spaniard has outlined his fears that the Red Devils could become direct rivals for City again in the near future.That’s exactly what Ten Hag wants to achieve, as he declared in an interview with Sky Sports: “My aim is to win first games. Then to restore Manchester United where they belong – that’s at the top of mundial football.READ MORE: Man Utd told PSV ‘will now accept’ £25m for Cody Gakpo after Erik ten Hag transfer talks Man City boss Pep Guardiola fears Man Utd are coming up the hill (Image: GETTY)”That’s what we are working for. Every day, to the best we can.”United are well and truly in the mix for the top-four and they seem to be improving with every game that goes by under their new head coach, who has brought the feel-good factor back to Old Trafford.Guardiola does not rule United out of the Premier League title race, even if they are only currently in sixth position: “I have a feeling that United is coming. Finally, United is coming.”I saw on Thursday [against Sheriff Tiraspol] and Chelsea in the first half.READ MOREMan Utd told PSV ‘will now accept’ £25m for Cody Gakpo after Erik ten Hag transfer talksDiego Costa shown first-ever Premier League red card after headbutt on Ben MeeMan Utd star Antony already warned he will ‘get kicked up in air’ over showboating”I thought ‘I like it’ what I see from United just now. I have a feeling United are coming back. That is why you have to fight for the title.”Ten Hag’s summer signings are now starting to justify their hefty price-tags – not least fan-favourites Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro.Martinez was quickly ridiculed for his height upon arrival in the Premier League but he has since silenced his doubters by turning in some stellar individual performances.Casemiro showed his commitment to the cause when he mustered a last-gasp equaliser for United on the road at Chelsea last weekend.Antony is also continuing to perform having scored in big Premier League matches against Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton – despite dominating the headlines for his showboating in midweek.The Brazilian is adamant he will not change despite being subbed at half-time by Ten Hag, who reassured supporters his decision was not related to the skill.United are looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they host West Ham on Sunday.After Chelsea’s 4-1 defeat at Brighton, the Hammers present the perfect opportunity for United to eat up some ground on their fellow top-four rivals.