Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada has reportedly told club staff that they must win a Premier League title again by 2028.
The 2027-28 season will coincide with the club's 125th anniversary since their foundation as Manchester United in 1902, in a history that has seen the club win a record 20 English league titles.
Not since Sir Alex Ferguson's final season in charge though, in 2012-13, have the Red Devils been crowned champions of England, as six managers have now tried, and failed, to get Man United back to the top.
Erik ten Hag is the current man at the helm looking to end that barren run, but the Dutchman has only been able to bring success in domestic cup competitions.
The Athletic claims that Berrada held a staff meeting last week where he outlined the club's ambitions to end the current 11-year wait for a Premier League title.
Berrada's target gives the club just four more seasons to hit that deadline, with their prospects this season already looking slim, sitting in the bottom half after five matches.
Can Erik ten Hag deliver Omar Berrada's wish?
Ten Hag is the sixth manager to take control since Ferguson's retirement, and they seem to be further away from a potential title than ever, having finished down in eighth last season.
David Moyes lasted less than a season after being Ferguson's replacement in 2013, and Louis van Gaal won the FA Cup, but could only manage fourth and fifth-place finishes in his two years in charge.
Jose Mourinho was possibly unfortunate to battle against Manchester City's centurions, earning United their best points tally since the Ferguson era with 81 in 2017-18, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also finished as runner-up in 2020-21.
A messy season where Ralf Rangnick replaced Solskjaer followed, and Ten Hag showed promise by finishing third in his first season, but then heavily regressed last season.
One month in, what are Man United's prospects this season?
Berrada is a new face at Old Trafford, arriving over the summer following the backroom overhaul instigated by new owner Jim Ratcliffe.
Dan Ashworth was also recruited in the hope of improving matters on the field, but United have struggled once more this time around.
There were strong rumours that Erik ten Hag was set to be sacked at the end of last season, but following the FA Cup triumph over rivals Manchester City, he was given a reprieve.
The Red Devils are down in 11th at present though, and made an underwhelming start to their Europa League campaign on Wednesday, drawing 1-1 at home to FC Twente.
Ten Hag has overseen just three wins in their seven matches this season, one of which was against League One side Barnsley. body check tags ::
