Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag admits that his side’s final spot of eighth in the Premier League table ‘is not good enough’.
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has admitted that his side’s final position of eighth in the Premier League table ‘is not good enough’.
Eighth is the lowest that the Red Devils have ever finished in the Premier League era, with that spot being confirmed on the final matchday of the 2023-24 campaign.
Man United beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 on Sunday afternoon, with Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund on the scoresheet, but the 20-time English champions lost out to Newcastle United for seventh on goal difference.
The Red Devils will now need to beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final next weekend to secure European football for the 2024-25 campaign.
Success at Wembley Stadium would see Man United qualify for the group stage of the 2024-25 Europa League, with Newcastle then missing out on Europe altogether.
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Man United end league campaign with a win and clean sheet
“We changed something at half-time, and after that we had more control. In the end the win is ok,” Ten Hag told BBC Sport following the success at Brighton.
“We swapped our sixes from the sides, left and right, that was important. We had a lot of problems defending Joao Pedro in the first half but then we had more control and we were better on the ball. You see the goal, it was a movement in behind. The first half was too static.
“It is not good enough by far (eighth spot). Although we had less than 60 points two years ago, 58 points, eighth is the worst performance.
“It is the truth but we should have done better. We knows the reasons behind, everyone knows, but it is not the right moment to go into it. It’s not good enough.”
Raphael Varane made his return from injury against Brighton, while Lisandro Martinez, Willy Kambwala, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes are also back to fitness after recent issues.
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Ten Hag pleased to now have “options”
Victor Lindelof could also make the squad for the FA Cup final, while returns for Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw have not been ruled out.
Mason Mount‘s issue is also not believed to be serious, with the playmaker also potentially being available for the showpiece event in the English capital.
“Talking about all the things we had to suffer this season, it was good to bring players back. They worked hard, desperate to play the final games of the season and especially the final next week,” said Ten Hag.
“We get options and hopefully we will have a g week and everyone is on board. We will put a comp team out and we will fight for the cup.”
Man United finished their 2023-24 Premier League campaign with a record of 18 wins, six draws and 14 defeats from 38 matches to collect 60 points.
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