Ten Hag says the team still needs to mature.
He said, "There are so many teams... Spurs, Newcastle, Chelsea, Aston Villa. These are teams that are all fighting for a place in the top four.
Advertisement
Advertisement
"We will also do that when everyone is ready, but right now we are not in a place where we can allow ourselves to fight for second place or the title.
"We can get closer if we make a good transfer window and keep the squad injury-free.
"We were last season, and then we got Rasmus Hjlund in and Mason Mount (for this season)."