Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has acknowledged that his team did not perform well this season, as they finished in eighth place in the Premier League, their lowest ranking in history. This means they will not be playing in any European competition next season unless they win the FA Cup final against Manchester City. Ten Hag expressed disappointment in the team’s performance and attributed their struggles to a high number of injuries, particularly in the defensive positions.
Despite their challenges, United have a chance to salvage their season by winning the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday. Ten Hag emphasized the importance of winning trophies and being in Europe and sees this final as an opportunity for the team to lift a cup. The manager expressed excitement at the prospect of playing in a cup final and highlighted the players’ eagerness to win. United will need to put out a competitive team for the final and ensure that they are 100% fit to give themselves the best chance of success.
In their final league game against Brighton, United were not at their best but managed to secure a 2-0 win with goals from Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund in the second half. Ten Hag noted that the team didn’t have full control in the first half but made adjustments at halftime to improve their performance. He highlighted the importance of defensive organization, pressing, and ball retention in their victory. United still need to work on returning players to their positions and refining their patterns of play to further improve their levels.
The manager reflected on the tough season United endured, with injuries affecting key areas of the team, particularly the backline. He acknowledged that despite the tough competition in the league, United’s performance was still not up to par. Ten Hag emphasized the importance of finishing higher in the league and recognized that the team’s current position was unacceptable for a club like United. He remains hopeful that with players returning and a focus on the cup final, United can end the season on a positive note.
United’s focus now shifts to preparing for the FA Cup final, where they will face Manchester City in a bid to secure a place in the Europa League for next season. Ten Hag remains optimistic about their chances and believes that the team has the opportunity to lift a trophy. He stressed the importance of winning the final and achieving success in Europe as a measure of the team’s progress and potential. United will need to continue working on improving their performance and fine-tuning their tactics to give themselves the best chance of success in the final against Manchester City.
